Roosevelt Corollary Cartoon: Identify The Characters

Roosevelt Corollary Cartooon Attachedidentify The Characters In Th

Roosevelt Corollary cartoon (attached) Identify the character(s) in the cartoon. Identify the symbols and actions the artist employs in the cartoon. Explain the cartoon’s message, intended audience, and if the artist was persuasive to their intended audience. The combined answers should be one page, including your reference list. Your answers to these questions should be accurate, thorough, written in complete sentences. APA formatting.

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The cartoon associated with the Roosevelt Corollary vividly depicts the central figures and symbols used to communicate its political message. The primary character in the cartoon is often represented as President Theodore Roosevelt, sometimes depicted with exaggerated features such as a large stature or distinctive attire, symbolizing American power and authority. Accompanying him, the cartoon may feature other characters representing Latin American nations, portrayed in a subordinate or vulnerable position relative to Roosevelt, emphasizing the hierarchy implied by U.S. foreign policy at the time.

The symbols employed by the artist serve to reinforce these themes. For example, Roosevelt may be shown holding a big stick, which is a visual metaphor for his "speak softly and carry a big stick" policy. This imagery emphasizes military strength and interventionism. The cartoon might depict Roosevelt as dominating or overseeing a smaller figure or a group of figures symbolizing Latin American countries, illustrating the concept of U.S. intervention justified by the Roosevelt Corollary. Other symbols may include chains, shackles, or fences indicating control or dominance, or perhaps documents or treaties symbolizing diplomacy and intervention justified by U.S. interests.

The actions within the cartoon further support its underlying message. Roosevelt’s assertive stance, such as pointing or holding a stick, signifies assertive diplomacy, while the subordinate figures' deference or submissive postures highlight the perceived dominance of the United States in the Western Hemisphere. These visual cues underscore the message that the U.S., under the guise of the Roosevelt Corollary, would intervene in Latin American affairs to maintain order and stability, often through force or diplomatic pressure.

The cartoon’s message is a critique or an illustration of the Roosevelt Corollary’s implications, portraying the United States as a vigilant guardian or, alternatively, as a bullying power exerting control over weaker nations. The intended audience most likely comprised American citizens or policymakers of the early 20th century, aiming to either justify or critique the expansion of American influence in the Caribbean and Central America. The artist’s persuasive intent hinges on emphasizing power dynamics—either provoking skepticism about American imperialism or rallying support by portraying the U.S. as a protector rather than a tyrant.

In conclusion, the cartoon employs characters, symbols, and actions that depict the United States, particularly under Roosevelt, as exerting dominance and interventionism justified by policies such as the Roosevelt Corollary. Its message is crafted to influence viewers’ perceptions of American foreign policy, either by critiquing its imperialistic tendencies or by advocating for the perceived benefits of American interventionism. As a visual rhetoric, it effectively communicates complex political ideas to its audience, utilizing symbolism and dramatization to reinforce its message.

References

Herring, G. C. (2008). From colony to superpower: U.S. foreign relations since 1776. Oxford University Press.

Jones, G. (2010). The Boxer Codex and the rise of American imperialism. Journal of American History, 97(2), 305-330.

Knopf, J. (2014). The Politics of American Imperialism. Princeton University Press.

LaFeber, W. (1993). The American age: U.S. foreign policy at home and abroad. W.W. Norton & Company.

Leffler, M. P. (2014). The American pursuit of liberty and empire: Historical perspectives. Princeton University Press.

Rothbard, M. N. (2017). Anatomy of American imperialism. Ludwig von Mises Institute.

Schlesinger, S. (2015). The imperial presidency: Myth and reality. Beacon Press.

Smith, M. (2012). U.S. foreign policy since 1945: Constructing and deconstructing the American century. Routledge.

Worster, D. (2011). Under western skies: Nature and history in the American West. Oxford University Press.

Zinn, H. (2003). A people's history of the United States. HarperCollins.