Introduction
In this paragraph I will be introducing the topic of American Imperialism and the Philippines illustrated through the form of political cartoons. I believe that this was an important time in history where the U.S and European powers wanted to expand across the Pacific due to the rapid growth of population and industries, manufactured goods, and bankers looking for export markets. These political cartoons add a relevant point of view of this history other than the existing course material. This is done by giving a lense-like perspective into that time period and portraying what the Filipinos experienced and how the United States felt. Through these political cartoons a deeper understanding of American Imperialism and the Philippines will be shown.
First Political Cartoon
The first political cartoon illustrates what appears to be Uncle Sam carrying a lot of new industrialized and manufactured goods and using the Philippines as a stepping stone to get across the Pacific ocean to China. The main message of this cartoon is that other places like Hawaii Guam and in this case the Philippines opened up an access to China. This cartoon might want people to think that such endeavors are worthwhile, bringing education, technological, and other civilizing tools to desperate people. Emiliano Aguinaldo, leader of the rebellion against Spain, turned against the U.S because his real goal was independence and it appeared the U.S would not provide it. I believe this cartoon was effective because it displays the mindset of America and how they viewed the Philippines. The image clearly displays through the text “AND, AFTER ALL, THE PHILIPPINES ARE ONLY THE STEPPING STONE TO CHINA,” telling the audience that they are not the main goal.
Second Political Cartoon
The next political cartoon shows a before and after of the intervention of the United States on the Spanish colonies. The exaggerated message of this cartoon is that because of the U.S, the Spanish colonies are now civilized and prosperous. The cartoon wants people to believe that “What the United States has fought for” through imperialism, is the rescuing of the oppressed and turning them into respectable and successful businessmen. This cartoon was effective because it gave a more visual way of seeing this cultural motive talked about in lecture called “White man’s burden” (Sepinwall, Lecture, 3/25/2020), where whites have a civilizing mission to help other races that are seen as backwards. The group that produced this cartoon may have felt that they had every right to control the Spanish colonies.
Third Political Cartoon
The final political cartoon satirizes American and European imperialism. The main message of this cartoon is that the U.S is allowed and has colonial authority over the island of the Philippines after the U.S signs the Treaty of Paris. The cartoon may want people to believe that the U.S was successful in getting economic dominance in the Philippines. I believe that this cartoon was not as effective as the two others but, it did add some more context to Dr. Sepinwall’s lecture notes that state, “in other places, the U.S doesn’t take over directly, but it wants to prevent European powers from getting economic dominance (Sepinwall, Lecture notes, 3/25/2020). The group that produced this source may have felt that the U.S had the right to intervene and invade when necessary.
Conclusion
As we can see through these political cartoons, there are different perspectives being shown about American Imperialism. They show how others viewed the treatment of the Filipinos specifically when compared to other existing course material. Through these images one can also agree that not everyone was satisfied with the way the United States was taking action around the world. These cartoons give insight to the way Americans and other countries viewed the treatment of these conquering nations, allowing others to formulate an educated perception on their actions.
