Hiroshima and Nagasaki
An extremely long-term cause of the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior was the use of nuclear bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, In August, 1945. This happened in the final phase of the second world war, and at this point, the war in Europe had concluded when Nazi Germany signed its instrument of surrender on May 8, 1945. Though the war in Europe had ended, the Pacific war continued. So, together with the United Kingdom and China, the United States called for the unconditional surrender of the Japanese Army, on July 26, 1945, and if the Japanese did not agree, the alternative would be “prompt and utter destruction”. Japan's response to this claim was to ignore it. True to their word, on August 6, 1945, the United States dropped the first ever atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima. 16 hours later, American President at the time Harry S. Truman called again for Japan’s surrender, claiming if they were to ignore this threat, they could “expect a rain of ruin from the air, the like of which has never been seen on this earth”. Upon japan's repeated choice to ignore the claim, three days later, on August 9, The United states dropped the second ever atomic bomb on the city of Nagasaki. Within the first four months after the bombings, up to 146 000 people died at Hiroshima, and 80 000 at Nagasaki, with half of these deaths occurring on the first day. Six days after the bombing at Nagasaki, on August 15, Japan announced its surrender, and on September 2, it signed its instrument of war, which effectively ended the Second World War. Due to these bombings at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Britain, The Soviet Union, and France began their own nuclear weapons programme, as defense if they were ever attacked. For this reason, France began their nuclear testing in the Pacific, which was what Greenpeace and the Rainbow Warrior were trying to prevent, and this caused France to bomb the Rainbow Warrior.
An extremely long-term cause of the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior was the use of nuclear bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, In August, 1945. This happened in the final phase of the second world war, and at this point, the war in Europe had concluded when Nazi Germany signed its instrument of surrender on May 8, 1945. Though the war in Europe had ended, the Pacific war continued. So, together with the United Kingdom and China, the United States called for the unconditional surrender of the Japanese Army, on July 26, 1945, and if the Japanese did not agree, the alternative would be “prompt and utter destruction”. Japan's response to this claim was to ignore it. True to their word, on August 6, 1945, the United States dropped the first ever atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima. 16 hours later, American President at the time Harry S. Truman called again for Japan’s surrender, claiming if they were to ignore this threat, they could “expect a rain of ruin from the air, the like of which has never been seen on this earth”. Upon japan's repeated choice to ignore the claim, three days later, on August 9, The United states dropped the second ever atomic bomb on the city of Nagasaki. Within the first four months after the bombings, up to 146 000 people died at Hiroshima, and 80 000 at Nagasaki, with half of these deaths occurring on the first day. Six days after the bombing at Nagasaki, on August 15, Japan announced its surrender, and on September 2, it signed its instrument of war, which effectively ended the Second World War. Due to these bombings at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Britain, The Soviet Union, and France began their own nuclear weapons programme, as defense if they were ever attacked. For this reason, France began their nuclear testing in the Pacific, which was what Greenpeace and the Rainbow Warrior were trying to prevent, and this caused France to bomb the Rainbow Warrior.
French Nuclear Testing in the Pacific
After the Second World War, the French, along with its American and British allies, frequently tested nuclear weapons in the Pacific Ocean. In 1963, the British, American and Soviet governments, alongside New Zealand, agreed to ban atmospheric nuclear tests. Although, the French, alongside India and China, were some of the countries that did not agree to this. From the mid 1960s, New Zealand was part of the ongoing protest against French nuclear testing in the Pacific. Mururoa Atoll became a main place for the testing, and for those that opposed the tests. In 1972, Greenpeace vessels sailed to the Atoll to protest, and the following year, the New Zealand and Australian Governments took France to the International Court of Justice, by means of banning the nuclear testing. The court ruled that France ceased testing, but this ruling was ignored. In response to this, the third Labour Government, led by Norman Kirk, sent two Navy ships with a Cabinet Minister on board, to Mururoa Atoll as a way of protesting.These protest achieved success as they caused testing to be moved underground,but testing still continued at Mururoa Atoll, and this testing still remained a point of interest for Anti-Nuclear protest. Due to this, New Zealand led an ongoing protest against French nuclear testing in the Pacific, which over time, aggravated the French Government, and in turn, In 1985, the French Government sent two agents to bomb the Rainbow Warrior, in hopes of slowing down their protests.
After the Second World War, the French, along with its American and British allies, frequently tested nuclear weapons in the Pacific Ocean. In 1963, the British, American and Soviet governments, alongside New Zealand, agreed to ban atmospheric nuclear tests. Although, the French, alongside India and China, were some of the countries that did not agree to this. From the mid 1960s, New Zealand was part of the ongoing protest against French nuclear testing in the Pacific. Mururoa Atoll became a main place for the testing, and for those that opposed the tests. In 1972, Greenpeace vessels sailed to the Atoll to protest, and the following year, the New Zealand and Australian Governments took France to the International Court of Justice, by means of banning the nuclear testing. The court ruled that France ceased testing, but this ruling was ignored. In response to this, the third Labour Government, led by Norman Kirk, sent two Navy ships with a Cabinet Minister on board, to Mururoa Atoll as a way of protesting.These protest achieved success as they caused testing to be moved underground,but testing still continued at Mururoa Atoll, and this testing still remained a point of interest for Anti-Nuclear protest. Due to this, New Zealand led an ongoing protest against French nuclear testing in the Pacific, which over time, aggravated the French Government, and in turn, In 1985, the French Government sent two agents to bomb the Rainbow Warrior, in hopes of slowing down their protests.
David Lange becoming Prime Minister
One of the most immediate causes of the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior was David Lange becoming Prime Minister of New Zealand. Before David Lange became Prime Minister, and the National Party was still in power, Labour party, lead by Lange, was already campaigning against nuclear propulsions and weapons, and nuclear testing. But when Labour came into power, and Lange become Prime Minister, in the 1984 elections, they made very clear their intentions to make New Zealand a nuclear-free country. This was a popular idea throughout New Zealand, and by the end of the year, nearly 40 towns around New Zealand had declared themselves nuclear-free. In late 1984, The United States requested that the USS Buchanan, an old guided-missile destroyer, be allowed to visit New Zealand. Unsure of whether this ship carried nuclear weapons, on 4 February, 1985, the government turned down this request. This decision proved the strength of New Zealand’s anti-nuclear stand, and fuelled the anti-nuclear movement even further. This was demonstrated further on 2 March, 1985, during the extensively televised, and now famous, Oxford Union debate. Lange argued his point against right-wing evangelist Jerry Falwell, that ‘nuclear weapons are morally indefensible’. Lange’s quick-witted performance in this debate drew roaring applause, and further strengthened New Zealand’s anti-nuclear stand. Lange’s strong opposition to nuclear power helped fuel the nation in its protest, and drew attention to New Zealand's nuclear power opposition, also spurring Greenpeace's involvement in the anti-nuclear movement. This in turn become an important factor in the Rainbow Warrior’s protest, leading to the French government bombing the Rainbow Warrior.
One of the most immediate causes of the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior was David Lange becoming Prime Minister of New Zealand. Before David Lange became Prime Minister, and the National Party was still in power, Labour party, lead by Lange, was already campaigning against nuclear propulsions and weapons, and nuclear testing. But when Labour came into power, and Lange become Prime Minister, in the 1984 elections, they made very clear their intentions to make New Zealand a nuclear-free country. This was a popular idea throughout New Zealand, and by the end of the year, nearly 40 towns around New Zealand had declared themselves nuclear-free. In late 1984, The United States requested that the USS Buchanan, an old guided-missile destroyer, be allowed to visit New Zealand. Unsure of whether this ship carried nuclear weapons, on 4 February, 1985, the government turned down this request. This decision proved the strength of New Zealand’s anti-nuclear stand, and fuelled the anti-nuclear movement even further. This was demonstrated further on 2 March, 1985, during the extensively televised, and now famous, Oxford Union debate. Lange argued his point against right-wing evangelist Jerry Falwell, that ‘nuclear weapons are morally indefensible’. Lange’s quick-witted performance in this debate drew roaring applause, and further strengthened New Zealand’s anti-nuclear stand. Lange’s strong opposition to nuclear power helped fuel the nation in its protest, and drew attention to New Zealand's nuclear power opposition, also spurring Greenpeace's involvement in the anti-nuclear movement. This in turn become an important factor in the Rainbow Warrior’s protest, leading to the French government bombing the Rainbow Warrior.
Key Historical Ideas
The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War 2 led to French nuclear testing in the Pacific. This in turn led to the French bombing the Rainbow Warrior.
French nuclear testing in the Pacific caused for New Zealand to protest against it, and this protesting caused for the French Government to bomb the Rainbow Warrior.
David Lange becoming Prime minister of New Zealand greatly strengthened New Zealand's anti-nuclear stand, and helped spur on anti-nuclear protests, specifically those against French nuclear tests in the Pacific. This then caused the French to bomb the Rainbow Warrior, as they felt threatened by Lange and New Zealand's ability to effectively protest and draw attention to their nuclear testing.
The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War 2 led to French nuclear testing in the Pacific. This in turn led to the French bombing the Rainbow Warrior.
French nuclear testing in the Pacific caused for New Zealand to protest against it, and this protesting caused for the French Government to bomb the Rainbow Warrior.
David Lange becoming Prime minister of New Zealand greatly strengthened New Zealand's anti-nuclear stand, and helped spur on anti-nuclear protests, specifically those against French nuclear tests in the Pacific. This then caused the French to bomb the Rainbow Warrior, as they felt threatened by Lange and New Zealand's ability to effectively protest and draw attention to their nuclear testing.