Editorial Cartoon Analysis

I selected these two images for my future students to analyze.

1. What is the event or issue that inspired the cartoons?
 The Spanish-American War inspired these two cartoons. The one on the left is from the views of American citizens and the one on the right is from the view of Spain's citizens.
2. Are there any real people or places in the cartoon? If not what images are portrayed in the cartoon?
Both show Uncle Sam, who is not a real person, but who represents the United States. The images both picture maps. The one on the right pictures a globe and rather racist portrayals of people from other countries. We can see China, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Cuba, and Guam all being represented. We can see text on the chalk board that says "Civilization Plus Education Equals Success" and the book in Uncle Sam's hand that says "ABC's of Self Government." The cartoon on the right pictures an insane and angry looking Uncle Sam, who is reeling in countries, shaped as fish, like Cuba and Guam. You can also see that he is standing on the United States (exaggeration).
3. Identify the specific type of artist techniques used in the cartoon (i.e., symbolism, analogy, exaggeration, labeling, and irony). What is the author trying to show the reader by using these techniques?
The image on the left has all the children labeled as different states. The faces of the "children representatives" are exaggerated to look almost racist. Uncle Sam is rather tall in the image which is also exaggerated. The irony is shown by the text on the bottom which says "Interrupting the Class." The cartoon on the right shows exaggeration by the size of the Uncle Sam. Labeling is used to represent the names of the countries he is reeling in to the United States. In the cartoon on the left the author is showing the immaturity of the countries labeled and how Uncle Sam is trying to teach them about how to become great countries. The image also shows how China is being very resistant to Uncle Sam's teachings. The author of the image on the right is trying to show how Uncle Sam has gone a little crazy and is trying to collect more and more territories by reeling them in.
4. What is the cartoonist point of view about the topic portrayed in the cartoon? Give examples to support your interpertation?
The cartoonist point of view for the cartoon on the left is that Uncle Sam, the United States, is trying to help these smaller countries, but they are being slightly resistant. I believe this because of all the imagery the author has used. The cartoonist point of view for the cartoon on the right is that Uncle Sam, the United States, has gone a little crazy in the process of trying to fish for these countries and make them part of the United States as territories. I believe this because of all the imagery used in this cartoon, especially Uncle Sam's face.
5. Is the cartoon persuasive? Why or why not?
Yes I feel both the cartoons are persuasive. If I only had the opportunity to view one side of the issue from one of these cartoons I would definitely agree with that side of the issue, because the cartoons are persuasive.
6. What other techniques could the artist have used to make this cartoon more persuasive?
I feel that the cartoon on the right is less persuasive than the one on the left. I feel this cartoon would be more persuasive if the author would have used more of techniques like analogy and irony. The author could covey their emotions better if they would have used these techniques more.