American Imperialism, Cartoons, and the Philippines

Political cartoons represent an important role in history. In this case, they serve the purpose to justify the right of the U.S. to govern others. Imperialism by definition is the policy to expand to increase the government’s power by using military force and diplomacy. In the U.S. ideas of white power and racism were a part of the rezoning behind the expansion. The next illustrations are a demonstration of the practice of American imperialism in the Philippines. These cartoons illustrate some of the ideas during this period, for example, how the U.S. viewed Filipinos as an inferior race. In class, we have learned the view of the British and their theory on inferior races. These cartoons are specific to the U.S. applying this point of view towards the Philippines, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and other countries. 

The first illustration is called “School Begins.” This cartoon is a good example of American imperialism. In it, Uncle Sam is the biggest of all the characters, the Philippines is represented as a small kid that is barefoot. The message of this cartoon is that the United States is the most civil country and that other countries have to thought to become a civilization. By picturing other countries and races this way, the illustration portrays the United States as superior to everyone else, similar to what we had learned from several primary sources in class such as the debate between Sepulveda and Las Casas. These illustrations were published for the public to see, people who were presented with these ideas of imperialism often believed that other countries were also inferior. This is why this cartoon is able to convey its message effectively. The perspective of the author who created this political cartoon demonstrates that he viewed the Philippines, Cuba, Puerto Rico and others as barbarians that had to be educated.  

The second cartoon is title “the white man’s burden” From class we have learned that the U.S. and Great Britain felt the obligation to educate those who they consider savages or barbarians. They accomplish this by using military and violence against other countries. However, in this illustration, we can recognize Uncle Sam carrying the Philippines, Cuba and other countries taking them to civilization. By illustrating the characters in this way, the illustration is demonstrating that it is the goodwill of the white man to educate others and make other societies civil no matter the cost. Despite this cartoon’s message, we have learned in lecture that this was a way to justify expanding and taking over other countries and their resources. By picturing the United States and Great Britain as the strong breve countries this illustration attempt is to demonstrate the sacrifice these countries do in order to overcome ignorance, brutality, etc. from other countries. These ideas are similar to the point of view of Columbus regarding Indians that we read from class. The advertisement of the cartoon was successful because for a period of time where people had limited sources of information and believed their country was superior. People only had access to sources similar to this one, where foreign countries are represented by exaggerated, savage-looking characters that demonstrate the success of this cartoon.

The cartoon “What the United States Has Fought For” is different from other American imperialism cartoons. As we can see in this cartoon the Philippines has become stronger and civil after the U.S. “rescued them from oppression” in several others the Philippines is only portrayed only as something that symbolizes weakness. This is pictured this way to demonstrate the good effects that the U.S. had when it intervened with the Philippines, Cuba, Hawaii and other countries. The message that this illustration represents in the U.S. point of view that they have lifted the weight of injustice in other countries making them richer and successful. These ideas attempt to make other countries look more powerful after the U.S. intervention. However, the U.S. did not view these countries as equal power and the interventions had been only to expand and take resources. Its message was not as successful as the others since these countries did not become as wealthy as this cartoon demonstrates and several numbers of Americans considered these countries inferior and ignorant. The point of view for this cartoon is positive where the U.S. is good and all countries benefit from its help. It also demonstrates that in order for these countries to be educated and civil, an intervention was necessary.

Cartoons portray many of the ideas from the U.S. point of view. They are a good source to understand the justification as to why it was necessary to expand. It is important to keep on mind that the U.S. success was forced and based on the belief of superior against inferior races. These cartoons lack information and a diverse point of view. However, they are a good example to understand the reasoning as to why it was believed other countries were inferior. Since the United States’ government was controlled by white men similarly to Europe, we can identify that both shared ideas based on the same factors of race and power. It was believed that it was their obligation of white men to educate and expand their own religion. These illustrations demonstrate this and several other ideas of American imperialism, which makes them a good source.