The Panama Canal

"American Experience: TV's Most-watched History Series." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 21 Feb. 2016. <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/teachers-resources/panama-guide/>.

This political cartoon is about the Panama Canal, and uses irony, exaggeration, and labeling. The irony is shown by Teddy Roosevelt digging, but instead of dirt, contractors and protesters are being scooped out of the ground. Exaggeration is shown by Teddy Roosevelt. who is at least 20 times as large as the regular people. The size of panama is also clearly exaggerated, being much smaller that it would actually be. There is lots of labeling in this cartoon, from Teddy Roosevelt to the people in the canal. The shovel reads, “Administration Scoop”, implying that this was an administrative decision. The holster on his hip also is labeled, but is in very tiny print. The cartoonist’s message is that Theodore Roosevelt drove the building of the Panama Canal. Others may believe that the way we got the land to build the canal was not right, and it was Theodore’s fault. I agree with the cartoonist that Theodore Roosevelt was reckless and a little to influential in the decision.

The Purchase of Alaska

Alaska Government State Capital Juneau Governor Sean Parnell Alaska State Motto." Alaska Government State Capital Juneau Governor Sean Parnell Alaska State Motto. The Alaskan Government, n.d. Web. 21 Feb. 2016. <http://www.netstate.com/states/government/ak_government.htm>.

This political cartoon focuses on the purchase of Alaska, and uses exaggeration, symbolism, and analogy. The exaggeration is shown by the size of “Russian America” A.K.A.  Alaska and the size of the American’s heads. The American’s heads are almost half as large as their bodies, making them look almost comical. The analogy is that the treaty was like a wheelbarrow to “carry” Alaska to America. This treaty was like a contract to buy Alaska, even though it was a treaty. It is ironic that the president and the secretary of state were hauling Alaska, instead of the president and vice president. It is even more ironic that the secretary of state is leading to president. The cartoonist’s message is that Alaska was a hunk of ice upon which we were scammed. The public believed this, excepting the residents of Alaska. This cartoon contradicts my opinion on the purchase of Alaska.

The Annexation of Hawaii

Olson-Raymer, Gayle. "Quest for Empire." Quest for Empire. Gayle Olson-Raymer, n.d. Web. 21 Feb. 2016. <http://users.humboldt.edu/ogayle/hist111/empire.html>.

This political cartoon focuses on the annexation of Hawaii, and uses symbolism, analogies, and labeling. The symbolism is present in Uncle Sam, who represents America. One analogy is comparing William McKinley to a waiter for Uncle Sam, bringing him more land. Another analogy is comparing Hawaii to Sandwiches. Several other analogies occur in the painting, such as Cuba Steak, Puerto Rico Pig, and Philippine Floating Islands. The cartoonist is comparing all of these countries to foo. The waiter’s cloth has labeling, and reads McKinley, implying he is the president. The cartoonist’s mess ager is that Uncle Sam was taking land like he was ordering at a restaurant, and took very little effort. Other people believed he was being a tyrant. I agree with the cartoonist’s position that we were powerful enough to take anything we wanted with minimal effort.