Analyzing Political Cartoons on Imperialism
In this assignment, you will analyze a series of political cartoons from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These cartoons reflect differing viewpoints on American imperialism and expansion. Your task is to determine the argument each cartoon is making, considering the historical context and the symbolism used by the artists.
Group 1
Analyze the cartoons in Set A. Identify the perspectives on imperialism presented in each cartoon.
SET A: Cartoon 1, Judge, 1899
SET A: Cartoon 2, Life, 1900
Question 1a
Describe the pro-imperialism argument made in Cartoon 1 from Judge, 1899.
Question 1b
Describe the anti-imperialism argument made in Cartoon 2 from Life, 1900.
Question 2
How did supporters of U.S. imperialism justify the annexation of territories like the Philippines?
To spread democracy and civilization to other nations
To preserve cultural traditions in colonized areas
To ensure neutrality in global conflicts
To reduce the size of the U.S. military
Question 3
Analyze how economic motivations influenced the push for U.S. imperialism.
Farmers wanted to reduce international trade.
The U.S. sought to eliminate competition from foreign nations.
Workers supported imperialism to decrease taxes at home.
Businesses sought access to new markets and raw materials.
Question 4
What role did the idea of “Manifest Destiny” play in arguments for imperialism?
It suggested the U.S. should only expand within its borders.
It justified the expansion of U.S. influence overseas as a natural continuation of westward expansion
It focused solely on the removal of Native American tribes.
It argued against annexing territories outside North America.
Question 5
Evaluate how the concept of the “White Man’s Burden” was used to support U.S. imperialism.
It encouraged cultural respect for colonized nations.
It argued that colonizing other nations was a moral duty to civilize them.
It advocated for isolationism and avoiding foreign entanglements.
It promoted economic self-sufficiency instead of expansion.
Question 6
How did anti-imperialists critique the annexation of the Philippines?
They believed it violated democratic principles by denying self-rule to other nations.
They supported imperialism only for economic purposes.
They argued the U.S. military was too weak to maintain control.
They believed imperialism strengthened foreign alliances.
Question 7
How did the Spanish-American War reflect debates over imperialism?
It was used to demonstrate the U.S. could win wars without expanding territory.
It led to the U.S. acquiring new territories, sparking arguments over the morality of imperialism.
It ended U.S. ambitions for overseas colonies.
It showed that imperialism benefited the U.S. without creating domestic controversy.
Question 8
What was one argument imperialists made regarding national security?
Colonies would provide military bases and protect U.S. interests abroad.
Colonizing other nations would decrease the need for a large military.
National security would improve by avoiding foreign entanglements.
Colonies would distract from the U.S.’s ability to defend itself domestically.
Question 9
How did the explosion of the USS Maine contribute to the start of the Spanish-American War?
It directly caused Spain to declare war on the U.S.
It increased public support for war due to sensationalized reporting by newspapers.
It forced Spain to agree to U.S. demands for Cuban independence.
It led to diplomatic negotiations that failed.
Question 10
Analyze the role of yellow journalism in shaping public opinion during the lead-up to the Spanish-American War.
It provided balanced coverage of Spain's actions in Cuba.
It exaggerated events to increase support for U.S. intervention in Cuba.
It focused on economic benefits of U.S. expansion rather than military action.
It discouraged U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts.
Question 11
Why was U.S. economic interest in Cuba a significant cause of the Spanish-American War?
The U.S. wanted to stop European investments in Cuban agriculture.
The U.S. sought to control all Caribbean trade to compete with Britain.
The U.S. needed new markets for its industrial goods.
American businesses had financial ties to Cuban sugar plantations, which were threatened by the rebellion against Spain.
Question 12
What was the significance of the Treaty of Paris (1898) in the aftermath of the Spanish-American War?
It ended the war and granted Cuba full independence immediately.
It required Spain to pay reparations to the United States.
It gave the U.S. control of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.
It allowed Spain to maintain control of its overseas territories.
Question 13
How did the Spanish-American War change the United States’ role on the world stage?
It marked the U.S.’s emergence as a global power with overseas territories.
It limited U.S. expansion to the Western Hemisphere.
It caused the U.S. to withdraw from global affairs.
It solidified U.S. alliances with European powers.
Question 14
How did the debate over annexing the Philippines reveal tensions in American society after the Spanish-American War?
The debate focused on whether the U.S. military could defend the Philippines.
There was widespread agreement that annexation would economically benefit the U.S.
The debate centered on maintaining alliances with Spain.
Some believed annexation violated American principles of self-determination, while others saw it as an opportunity to expand U.S. influence.
Question 15
How did the Spanish-American War represent a shift in U.S. foreign policy?
It marked the beginning of the United States becoming a global power with overseas territories.
It reinforced the U.S. commitment to isolationism and non-involvement in foreign conflicts.
It demonstrated U.S. support for European colonial powers.
It focused on limiting U.S. influence to the Western Hemisphere.
Question 16
How did the territories acquired after the Spanish-American War, such as Guam and the Philippines, reflect a change in U.S. foreign policy?
They showed the U.S. adopting imperialist policies by establishing control over non-contiguous territories.
They reinforced the U.S. policy of avoiding foreign entanglements.
They ensured that the U.S. would remain a regional power rather than a global one.
They were quickly returned to their original governments to avoid conflicts.
Question 17
In what way did the Spanish-American War lay the groundwork for future U.S. foreign policy decisions?
It showed that U.S. foreign policy would focus solely on European alliances.
It encouraged the U.S. to return to isolationism to avoid further conflicts.
It emphasized the strategic importance of maintaining military and economic influence in the Pacific and the Caribbean.
It limited the U.S. to expanding its influence only through diplomacy.
Question 18
How does the U.S. annexation of the Philippines after the Spanish-American War reflect a realist approach to foreign policy?
It demonstrated the U.S. commitment to spreading democracy worldwide.
It secured strategic military and economic advantages in the Pacific.
It focused solely on strengthening alliances with European powers.
It upheld the principle of self-determination for colonized peoples.
Question 19
How did arguments about helping Cuba gain independence reflect idealism in U.S. foreign policy?
They showed the importance of maintaining military dominance in the Caribbean.
They focused on the economic benefits of controlling Cuban resources.
They emphasized the moral responsibility to support freedom and democracy abroad.
They prioritized U.S. alliances over Cuban sovereignty.
Question 20
In what way did the combination of humanitarian concerns and territorial expansion during the Spanish-American War blend realism and idealism in U.S. foreign policy?
The U.S. justified intervention as both a moral duty and a means of securing strategic interests.
The U.S. avoided military action and focused on diplomacy.
The U.S. prioritized spreading democracy over gaining military advantages.
The U.S. rejected the acquisition of any new territories to focus solely on humanitarian efforts.
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