"Union Nursery"
As part of the terms that ended the Spanish-American War in 1898, the United States
gained control of the Philippines, Puerto Rico and Cuba. While many Americans decried
imperial expansion, many others welcomed it. One of the debates that emerged about
American imperial expansion was what to do with the newly acquired territories.
Reflecting the racial attitudes of the time, some worried that the natives in areas where
America was expanding could not handle self-government and would require some
degree of long term American control. Others thought that giving special treatment to
native peoples would upset the system of racial control being established in the newly
segregated south.
Political cartoons in 19th Century often depicted America as a woman, Columbia. During
the Spanish-American War, many cartoons began to depict the United States as a man,
Uncle Sam, as seen here.
"This Encounter Does Not Seem, At Present, Exactly A Happy One For Poor Cuba"
Stepping across the ocean, the United States and Spain clash over Cuba. In 1895, Cuban
revolutionaries began fighting for independence from Spain. The Spanish response was
draconian under Spanish General Valeriano (“Butcher”) Weyler. Many Americans
wanted to help the Cubans, both because they supported independence for the island and
because they believed an independent Cuba would prove to be a better trade partner for
the United States. When the U.S.S. Maine blew up in Havana harbor in 1898, the Spanish
were blamed, and the US and Spain went to war.
Political cartoons in 19th Century often depicted America as a woman, Columbia. During
the Spanish-American War, many cartoons began to depict the United States as a man,
Uncle Sam, as seen here. Note that this cartoon was originally published in the German
magazine Kladderadatsch on April 24, 1898.
"Uncle Sam’s New Class in the Art of Self-Government"
As part of the terms that ended the Spanish-American War in 1898, the United States
gained control of the Philippines, Puerto Rico and Cuba. While many Americans decried
imperial expansion, many others welcomed it. One of the debates that emerged about
American imperial expansion was what to do with the newly acquired territories.
Reflecting the racial attitudes of the time, some worried that the natives in areas where
America was expanding could not handle self-government and would require some
degree of long term American control. In this cartoon, Uncle Sam is using a switch to
separate unruly children in a classroom labeled a “Cuban Ex-patriot” and a “Guerilla.”
One of Cuba’s revolutionary figures, Jose Miguel Gomez sits to the side, while Filipino
Insurrectionist Emilio Aguinaldo stands in the corner wearing a dunce cap. Sitting
together on the right are two well-behaved little girls, Puerto Rico and Hawaii, which
became a US territory in July 1898, the culmination of several years of debate
independent from the Spanish-American conflict.
"A Fair Field and No Favor! Uncle Sam: 'I'm Out For Commerce, Not Conquest.”
At the end of the 19th century, China began to open its borders to foreigners. Leaders of
the industrial and imperial nations of Europe were very interested in access to China’s
markets and raw materials. Government and business interests in the United States shared
similar interests, but advocated a different, more conciliatory approach, as illustrated by
this cartoon.
“Peace”
President Theodore Roosevelt, former Assistant Secretary of the Navy, was a staunch
supporter of a strong navy. Roosevelt instituted a new policy known as Corollary of the
Monroe Doctrine during his term. The Monroe Doctrine was designed keep Europeans
out of the Americas, but the Roosevelt Corollary placed the United States as the chief and
guardian of the Americas. Control of the seas was an important part of that doctrine, a
control made possible because industrialization had sped up process of making
battleships. Political cartoons in 19th Century often depicted America as a woman,
Columbia. Here she is depicted in full war regalia. During the Spanish-American War,
many cartoons began to depict the United States as a man, Uncle Sam.
"Roosevelt As the Rising Sun of Yankee Imperialism"
As part of the terms that ended the Spanish-American War in 1898, the United States
gained control of the Philippines, Puerto Rico and Cuba. While many Americans decried
imperial expansion, many others welcomed it. President Theodore Roosevelt, especially,
was an advocate for a more aggressive US foreign policy and for American imperial
expansion. This cartoon presents a Spanish view of the new American Imperialism.
"President Roosevelt’s Forthcoming Feast"
This cartoon from a newspaper in Chile is a response to the Roosevelt Corollary to the
Monroe Doctrine. The Monroe Doctrine was designed keep Europeans out of the
Americas. President Theodore Roosevelt’s Corollary declared the United States as the
head and enforcer of the Americas. The cartoonist depicts Roosevelt standing in front of
the “Casa Blanca” (White House) and preparing to slaughter a large turkey with feathers
labeled with South and Central American countries. The chopping block is labeled
“America para los Americanos” (America for the Americans).