Seeing both sides of the argument - New Zealand forces in Asia - NCEA Level 1 history

Use the feature New Zealand forces in Asia 1948–72 and your own knowledge and ideas to help you complete the following activity.

You are an adviser working in the Department of External Affairs in 1950, and you have been asked to write a paper for the minister of external affairs, Frederick Doidge, and the prime minister, Sidney Holland. They will use this paper to give Cabinet information to help it discuss the benefits and disadvantages for New Zealand of signing an alliance with Australia and the United States.

Your task is to:

a. Outline at least three advantages for New Zealand of signing such an alliance with the Australians and Americans. You must explain to the ministers why you believe these things advantage New Zealand. For instance:

One advantage is that any alliance with a country as powerful as the United States gives New Zealand a powerful regional ally.

b. Outline at least three disadvantages for New Zealand of signing such an alliance with the Australians and Americans. You must explain to the ministers why you believe these things disadvantage New Zealand. For instance:

One disadvantage is that such an alliance separates New Zealand from its traditional ally, Great Britain.

c. In no more than 150 words, you must advise your ministers which argument to support and the reasons why you believe this action should be taken, i.e., to sign an alliance or not. They will be expecting you to give them answers to some possibly tricky questions raised by those who might disagree, so consider this in your final advice.