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.