Panama Canal

Political Cartoon Analysis

This cartoon is about the Panama Canal. You can see this through the labeling in the cartoon that says "Panama Canal". The cartoonist's message is that Roosevelt only wants supporters and anyone who won't support him will be trown out. This is shown through Roosevelt scooping out his non-supporters. Some people may think that Roosevelt is doing all of this for our benefit. This cartoonist used labeling and symbolism. Labeling is used through the words on the people and the actual canal. Symbolism is used through the hieght of Roosevelt showing that he is a superior figure. 

Works Cited

Works Cited

"Alaska Government State Capital Juneau Governor Sean Parnell Alaska State Motto." Alaska Government State Capital Juneau Governor Sean Parnell Alaska State Motto. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Feb. 2016. <http://www.netstate.com/states/government/ak_government.htm>.

"Almanac of Theodore Roosevelt - Panama Canal - Political Cartoons." Almanac of Theodore Roosevelt - Panama Canal - Political Cartoons. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Feb. 2016. <http://www.theodore-roosevelt.com/toonsbytopicpanamacanal.html>.

"American Experience: TV's Most-watched History Series." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 22 Feb. 2016. <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/teachers-resources/panama-guide/>.

"0004238 - ALASKA PURCHASE CARTOON. An American Cartoon of 1867 on the Alaska Purchase Showing Secretary of State William H. Seward and President Andrew Johnson Welcoming the Representatives of the New Territory to Washington, D.C." Granger. Historical Picture Achive, n.d. Web. 22 Feb. 2016. <http://www.granger.com/results.asp?image=0004238>.

"Illustration: "Uncle Sam Catches the Ripe Fruit"" Flickr. Yahoo!, 9 Jan. 2012. Web. 22 Feb. 2016. <https://www.flickr.com/photos/uhmlibrary/6669402649>.

"List Of Top Open Door Policy Cartoon Images." Top Open Door Policy Cartoon Images for Pinterest. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Feb. 2016. <http://www.stylepinner.com/open-door-policy-cartoon/b3Blbi1kb29yLXBvbGljeS1jYXJ0b29u/>.

"Spanish American War." Pinterest. Pintrest, n.d. Web. 22 Feb. 2016. <https://www.pinterest.com/den22/spanish-american-war/>.

"TR's Foreign Policy." TR's Foreign Policy. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Feb. 2016. <http://www.fasttrackteaching.com/burns/Unit_6_World/U6_Roosevelt_Foreign_Policy.html>.

Purchase of Alaska

Political Cartoon Analysis

This cartoon is about the Purchase of Alaska. This is shown through the penguin and Eskimo becoming Alaska's representatives for the senate. The message is that Alaska will not provide and if we let them in  our government that they will not provide with good senators and representatives. You can see this in how he shows the senators of Alaska, penguins and Eskimos. Some people may think that Alaska will provide us with very capable, Russian-American citizens, or better yet, a qualified American will stand up to the plate to represent Alaska. This cartoonist uses irony. Irony is used through the Eskimo and penguin as the two government officials greet them. Irony appears because no one would take creatures or people like this seriously and the officials are being kind, formal and polite. I actually disagree with this cartoon because I don't think everyone in Alaska is a wild, non-intelligent person.

Roosevelt Corollary

Political Cartoon Analysis

This cartoon is about the Roosevelt Corollary. This is shown through Roosevelt standing in between Latin America and The Eastern Hemisphere indicating the Roosevelt Corollary. The cartoonist's message is that Roosevelt is the mighty police man of the Western Hemisphere. This is shown through the police outfit he is wearing along with the police baton. I can only imagine this as the only response to this cartoon because it is what Roosevelt demonstrated himself as. The cartoonist uses labeling and symbolism. Labeling is used in the papers and baton he is holding. Symbolism is used in the baton as well. It is portrayed as Roosevelt's "Big Stick" as he bats away any foreigners saying "get out, anything in my Hemisphere belongs to me". 

Open Door Policy

Political Cartoon Analysis

This cartoon is focused on the Open Door Policy. This is shown through the open doors to China. The cartoonist's message is China is very wanted and America is the only one with the key and America is the only one that will decide what to do with China. This is clear through how the cartoonist depicts Uncle Sam, standing in front of the door to China, standing over the other countries. Some people may believe that America only made it better to deal with China. This cartoonist uses exaggeration and symbolism. Exaggeration is used through the height of Uncle Sam compared to the other countries. Symbolism is used in the key that is in Uncle Sam's hand. Some other symbolism is used in background. You can see the tree on the right and the beautiful scenery behind the door represents resources and new markets. This cartoon agrees with me because I feel that America took control of China too much, mostly because we had proposed the Open Door Policy.

Panama Canal

Political Cartoon Analysis

This cartoon shows the Panama Canal. This is shown through Roosevelt digging through Panama with U.S ships waiting behind him. The cartoonist's message on the event is that Roosevelt does not care about what anyone says and all that matters to him is digging his canal. You can see this in the determined expression on Roosevelt's face and how he is throwing the dirt onto the Colombian capital, Bogota. Some people may disagree with this and say that Roosevelt was very generous with how he dug the canal. This cartoonist used exaggeration. Exaggeration was used in the size of Roosevelt and the Colombian protesting. It depicts Roosevelt as a big, large figure and the Colombian as a weak, tiny figure. I agree with this as I also believe Roosevelt went a little far in trying to make the canal happen. He practically forced Panama to get rid of their Colombian rule just to get Panama to comply with him.      

Spanish-American War

Political Cartoon Analysis

This cartoon shows the Spanish-American War. Proof of this is Uncle Sam hauling the U.S. navy to war on Havana, Cuba. The cartoonist doesn't seem to be taking a side as much as he is just trying to inform the public. There is no indicator of his or her side in this as it really only shows the U.S. advancing on Havana. Other opinions could include the patriotism of some Americans wanting America to defeat Spain and expand our country. Another could be to not get involved with Cuba's relations with Spain, let them handle their own problems. The cartoonist used labeling, symbolism, and a little bit of exaggeration. Labeling was used through the names on Cuba and the words on the cloud behind Uncle Sam. Symbolism was used through the shear height of Uncle Sam saying "I am America, I am bigger then you" ties into the patriotic side of an American. Exaggeration could also be demonstrated by the height of Uncle Sam. This cartoon really agrees with me because I would't have taken a side in this war either, therefore I agree with this cartoonist's opinion.  

Annexation of Hawaii

Political Cartoon Analysis

This cartoon is about the Annexation of Hawaii. This is shown through the falling of the apple from the tree to Uncle Sam's hat. The cartoonist's message that America will only have the best for themselves. At the bottom of the page it says "Uncle Sam catches the ripe fruit" which is a clear demonstration of the cartoonists message. I can imagine some people having the opinion of America taking what they can get settling with that. The cartoonist used labeling and symbolism to make this cartoon persuasive. Labeling is shown through the names written on the fruits in the tree. Symbolism is shown through Uncle Sam's hat. It represents America and the fruit falling into it shows America annexing Hawaii from the tree or their independence if you would. this demonstrates my view on American imperialism because i believe that america is only willing to take the willing and capable countries.  

The Purchase of Alaska

Political Cartoon Analysis

This cartoon is about the Purchase of Alaska. You can see this because of the labeling that says "Russian America" which is exactly what Alaska was, new Russian land bought to become part of America. The cartoonist is trying to tell us that buying Alaska, spending millions of dollars, was a mistake.  This is shown through his depiction of Alaska, a big chunk of ice. In other words we just wasted millions on an iceberg. Another's opinion might be that we are expanding the country all the same and that it was all worth it  in the long run. Some people might think that there is an unseen value to Alaska. This cartoonist uses labeling and symbolism. Labeling was used in saying that the block of ice is Alaska and saying that the wheel barrel is the treaty that bought the block of ice. Symbolism is used when it shows how big Alaska is and how heavy Alaska is compared to how small its value is. This cartoon supports my view on imperialism in the fact that Alaska was bought peacefully. The treaty between Russia and America demonstrates this.