I have this cartoon for history regarding TR, and i simply do not understand it, can somone help me..?!?

Question

ok i am not asking anyone to do my hw for me, i just need some explaining on this cartoon, b/c i do not understand it, THANKSS!
here is the link:
http://www.historywiz.com/bigstick.htm

its the color pic in the middle

Answer 1

TR was president of the US in a period of mass imperialism and internationalism. What TR stood for was that the US would flex their muscle if threaten or coerced. He is in a police uniform from NYC in the years in which he was commissioner of the police before being nominated for the post of Secy of the Navy and eventually VP and President in 1901 after McKinley's assassination. For the majority of our history the US was an isolationalistic country and this was why it is considered the new diplomacy because it was so drastically different from the usual approach.

Answer 2

The caption explains that Theodore Roosevelt is dressed in a policeman's uniform to enforce U.S. policy. In thosedays, policemen carried a "night stick," which was a baton that they could use to subdue wrongdoers. The lesson is that the U.S. should be militarily strong and always hint at the use of force. But in communications, the U.S. should always use diplomacy and persuasion. "Speak softly, but carry a big stick."