Political cartoon 3

This political cartoon is about the United States purchasing the Panama Canal. The cartoonist’s message is that Roosevelt would do anything to get the Panama Canal. In the cartoon, Roosevelt is riding over all of laws and treaties to show that he doesn’t care about them. Other people may think that he was justified in doing whatever he could to get the canal. The canal would give us control of the shortest route between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. This would be essential for our country’s trade and defense.

Labeling and symbolism are both used in this cartoon for persuasion. The bags on the floor, and the “panama or bust sign,” on the side of the wagon, are labels to try to convince the readers that Roosevelt is taking too many aggressive steps. Symbolism is used in this cartoon because it shows that Roosevelt will do anything to get the Panama Canal. He doesn’t care about the laws or treaties so he runs over them. Also, the elephant symbolizes the Republican Party. This cartoon supports my view of anti-imperialism because it wasn’t right for the United States to intervene in Columbia’s affairs for our own selfish reasons. We were not justified in running over Columbia.

"Theodore Roosevelt & Big Stick Diplomacy." Theodore Roosevelt & Big Stick Diplomacy. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Feb. 2016.