The main impact on New Zealand from the Yalta Conference did
not result from the Crimea itself, but rather in the formation of the United
Nations in October later that year. Because New Zealand was included in the
original 51 members at its formation, her involvement in global politics
increased which in turn allowed more agreements to be made with nations who
would soon become allies.
Some of these treaties included ANZUS (Australia, New Zealand and United States) and ANZAM (Australia, New Zealand and British ruled Malaya). This benefitted both the NZ government as well as its residents because it permitted more trade and administrative relationships with major world powers.
At the time of Russia’s dominance in Poland, New Zealand Prime Minister Peter Fraser was cautious of Stalin’s movement in Europe, as was the rest of the nation. Fraser was optimistic about the formation of the U.N and fully supported the cause, but when hostility broke out between America and the U.S.S.R he put the New Zealand military behind the Western Forces.
The impact of Yalta for New Zealand was more so an insight into the personalities of the three most powerful world leaders during the war. Once examining the temperaments of the big three, it allowed Peter Fraser to recognize Stalin’s arrogance and gave him a chance to place New Zealand’s support in the side who he felt was more reliable which ended up being the U.S.
Looking at this choice from a modern perspective, you could possibly argue that a lot of New Zealand’s Americanised culture can be linked back to our backing of the U.S after Yalta, which would indicate that Fraser’s decision was an influential one. Either way, the conference did not have any immediate nor immense effect on New Zealand at the time, and so therefore it cannot be classed as extremely significant.
By Liam Nash
Some of these treaties included ANZUS (Australia, New Zealand and United States) and ANZAM (Australia, New Zealand and British ruled Malaya). This benefitted both the NZ government as well as its residents because it permitted more trade and administrative relationships with major world powers.
At the time of Russia’s dominance in Poland, New Zealand Prime Minister Peter Fraser was cautious of Stalin’s movement in Europe, as was the rest of the nation. Fraser was optimistic about the formation of the U.N and fully supported the cause, but when hostility broke out between America and the U.S.S.R he put the New Zealand military behind the Western Forces.
The impact of Yalta for New Zealand was more so an insight into the personalities of the three most powerful world leaders during the war. Once examining the temperaments of the big three, it allowed Peter Fraser to recognize Stalin’s arrogance and gave him a chance to place New Zealand’s support in the side who he felt was more reliable which ended up being the U.S.
Looking at this choice from a modern perspective, you could possibly argue that a lot of New Zealand’s Americanised culture can be linked back to our backing of the U.S after Yalta, which would indicate that Fraser’s decision was an influential one. Either way, the conference did not have any immediate nor immense effect on New Zealand at the time, and so therefore it cannot be classed as extremely significant.
By Liam Nash