Story: First World War

The British lion and his cubs aroused

The British lion and his cubs aroused

As this cartoon from 1914 suggests, most of Britain's former colonies followed the lead of the 'mother country' in participating in the war. In New Zealand sentimental attachment to Britain, its importance as a market for New Zealand's exports and the country's dependence on the British Royal Navy for defence of trade routes meant that there was overwhelming support for Britain.

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Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference: C-10764

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Ian McGibbon, 'First World War - Origins', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/cartoon/34102/the-british-lion-and-his-cubs-aroused (accessed 19 April 2024)

Story by Ian McGibbon, published 20 Jun 2012