Political Cartoon/Image and Document Analysis on Imperialism
Directions: Read the background information for each political cartoon, and then complete the analysis worksheet for
the set of cartoons. You will navigate around the digital history website for your research/background information
prior to analyzing the political cartoon.
1. Go to http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/
2. Go to the America becomes a World Power tab and read the Overview
http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/era.cfm?eraid=10&smtid=1
3. Go to the “Textbook” tab and click on the Annexation of Hawaii (1893-1900) link and read it
Queen Lili'uokalani-
Summarize Your Reading-
When did we finally apologize to Hawaii-
1. What is the time and place of the cartoon? Why is the time and place of the cartoon important to
understanding the cartoon? (Historical context)
2. Identify any symbols and what they mean.
3. Identify distortions, stereotypes, and caricatures within
the cartoon and what they represent.
1. Go to the “Textbook” tab and click on the Spanish-American War (1898) link and read it
Yellow Journalism-
Concentration Camp-
USS Maine-
Rough Riders-
Teller and Platt Amendments-
1. What is the time and place of the cartoon? Why is the time and place of the cartoon important to
understanding the cartoon? (Historical context)
2. Identify any symbols and what they mean.
1.
3. Identify distortions, stereotypes, and caricatures within
the cartoon and what they represent.
Go to the “Textbook” tab and click on the Policing the Caribbean and Central America link and read it
Summarize your reading-
1. Go to the “Documents” tab and click on the First Open Door Note link
2. Read the excerpt about China’s Open Door Policy (1899)
Spheres of Influence-
Open Door Policy-
Boxer Rebellion-
2.
Identify the “Big Idea” for America becomes a World Power. What is the “So What?” HINT: IMPERIALISM should
be in your answer.
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President Theodore Roosevelt 1901-1909
1. Watch the “History Channel” video about President T. Roosevelt.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBpfih7w4B8 OR
2. Read the entire biography http://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/theodore-roosevelt and
https://history.state.gov/milestones/1899-1913/panama-canal
Why did Panama allow the building of the
Panama Canal-
Identify reasons for building the Panama
Canal-
Roosevelt Corollary/Monroe Doctrine-
“Big Stick” Diplomacy-
Square Deal-
Summarize T. Roosevelt’s Presidency-
Square Deal: “…to provide everyone
with a square deal” T. Roosevelt, 1904
Labor
-Support arbitration in 1902
Penn Coal Mine Strike- TR
threatened to seize the mines
Consumers
Health and Safety:
-Pure Food and Drug Act-1906
-Meat Inspection Act-1906
Business
-Trustbusting: Filed 44 antitrust lawsuites
-Elkins Act 1903: Ended rail
rebates
-Hepburn Act 1906: Set
rail rates
Environment
-Newlands Reclamation Act
1902: Irrigation
-US Forest and Mining 1905:
timber & mining
1.PICK ONE OF THE THREE What is the time and place of the cartoon? Why is the time and place of the
cartoon important to understanding the cartoon? (Historical context)
2. Identify any symbols and what they mean.
3. Identify distortions, stereotypes, and caricatures within
the cartoon and what they represent.
President Howard Taft 1909-1913
3. Watch the “History Channel” video about Howard Taft https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ePxP6LPun4
OR
4. Read the entire biography http://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/document/william-howard-taftdollar-diplomacy/
Dollar Diplomacy-
1912 Election/Progressives-
1.PICK ONE OF THE TWO What is the time and place of the cartoon? Why is the time and place of the
cartoon important to understanding the cartoon? (Historical context)
2. Identify any symbols and what they mean.
3. Identify distortions, stereotypes, and caricatures within
the cartoon and what they represent.
Identify the differences between Roosevelt’s “Big Stick” diplomacy and Taft’s “Dollar Diplomacy.”
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