The Spanish-American War

Alamy. "Stock Photo - The Spanish American War, Political Cartoon Showing Uncle Sam Bidding Goodbye to Sapin after Conquering Cuba, from Puck, 1900." Alamy. Alamy, n.d. Web. 21 Feb. 2016. <http://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-the-spanish-american-war-political-cartoon-showing-uncle-sam-bidding-32387693.html>.

This political cartoon is about the Spanish-American War, and uses symbolism and labeling. The symbolism comes from the three figures seen on land and the ship. Uncle Sam represents America and wears a sword on his hip, directing the Spanish ship away from Cuba. The woman on land represents the cubans, and appears to be holding a stick or staff. These two have joined hands and it looks like Uncle Sam is protecting her, showing the alliance we made with Cuba to help them gain their independence. The dejected looking man on the Spanish ship represents the Spanish, and also wields a sword. This sword is labeled, "Years of Misrule", and probably references the cruelty the Spanish exerted upon the Cubans. The cartoonist's message is that America or "Uncle Sam" stepped in and told the Spanish to pack their bags. The Spanish disagree and believe that America was overstepping their boundaries. I agree with the cartoonist because it took mere months to defeat the Spanish and kick them out of the Pacific.