Cartoon interpretation - New Zealand forces in Asia 1948-72 - NCEA Level 1 history

Cartoon interpretation

'Better not interfere, old boy – he might lose his temper!'

Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand, reference: Eph-E-EXHIBITION-1939-01
Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Matauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any reuse of this image.

Using the cartoon, 'Better not interfere, old boy – he might lose his temper!' and the feature New Zealand forces in Asia 1948–72, complete the following activities.

1. Which country is wielding the machete?
2. The man giving the advice not to interfere is the Australian Prime Minister Robert Menzies. Who is the man he is giving the advice to?
3. How would you describe the reaction of Malaysia to what is going on?
4. What event is being referred to in this cartoon? Give evidence to support your answer.
5. In what year was this cartoon most likely to have been drawn?
6. In what other ways had the countries in the foreground been involved with Malaysia prior to this event?
7. What is the attitude of the cartoonist to the view taken by the countries in front to what is going on behind them?
8. Why did the character on the right in the foreground initially choose to take the advice of Menzies and not interfere?
9. What action did this character eventually take on behalf of his country in response to this event?
10. What was the eventual outcome of the event portrayed in this cartoon?