The significance of the pearl Harbor attack to
New Zealanders
Big Brother
With America having entered the war New Zealand had somebody to offer some sort of protection, which is what we wanted all along. With war in the Pacific growing, the tension in New Zealand did the same. Because New Zealand is quite an insignificant country when comparing navy size, army strength etc of other countries like Japan, we needed somebody to offer some kind of protection, or assurance that we would be defended if need be. War in the Pacific seemed to be drawing nearer to New Zealand (the peak of this worry was when Darwin was bombed), so that only added to the tension and worry. America's involvment in world war two had remained neutral, but it was inevitable that America would soon choose a side, and it was most likely to be on the side of the allies. The Japanese bombing Pearl Harbor only brought on America's involvement even quicker. In summary, America joining the war on the side of the allies had great significance to New Zealanders because it offered some kind of protection and assurance against aggressor countries like Japan.
Arrival of America
A mere six months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, and America's entrance into the war, the arrival of American troops in New Zealand began. This had many major effects on New Zealand as a whole, as well as on individual New Zealanders. First of all, it had an impact on our economy. With the arrival of Americans with plenty of money in their pockets, and a country full of cash-stripped New Zealanders, the general demand in our economy rose. Many jobs were created for carpenters, plumbers and electricians as the Americans set up camps for themselves after their arrival. Other jobs created to do with these camps were those for typists and "office girls". Lastly, there were jobs found for those that could repair tanks and other war related machinery. The other main effect this arrival of troops had was to do with American soldiers and Kiwi girls. This was a negative effect unlike the boost in our economy. With most Kiwi men away for war purposes, in places like monte cassino and cairo, theres no doubt there was a shortage of men in New Zealand. Wives, girlfriends and soon-to-be's were left in New Zealand with the poor conditions of war time (i.e slaving away with men's jobs, being underpaid). When the Americans arived, they were an image of charm and money, and were seen as very romantic figures. There were lots of relationships beggining to grow, with around 1500 marriages between the "Yanks" and "Kiwi girls"during the years of the Americans' vist to the country, as much as authorities of both countries discouraged any love-like relationships between American men and New Zealand women. When New Zealand men found out about relationships between Yanks and Kiwi girls, there were feuds between American and New Zealand men, and also violence towards women on the New Zealanders' part. Military leaders did not like this situation, as they did not want dislike between two countries both belonging to the allies.
In summary, arrival of Americans in New Zealand had significance to New Zealand because, first of all, it created a boost in our economy in terms of jobs made. Lastly, because of the relationships that were made between American soldiers and New Zealand girls and the effect this had on New Zealand men.
In summary, arrival of Americans in New Zealand had significance to New Zealand because, first of all, it created a boost in our economy in terms of jobs made. Lastly, because of the relationships that were made between American soldiers and New Zealand girls and the effect this had on New Zealand men.