Annexation of Hawaii (2)

“...Periodical Eruptions”

Annexation of Hawaii

This particular cartoon, “The Only Way to Stop These Periodical Eruptions was about the Annexation of Hawaii. The cartoonist is making a correlation between occasional or “periodical” volcano eruptions and Japanese ambition of Hawaii. If someone else were viewing this cartoon, they might have an opinion that Uncle Sam is about to “put out” the volcano eruption from Japan and make it one of the USA because of wavering of the Uncle Sam top hat.

This cartoonist uses labeling as their persuasive technique.  This is obvious because he labels the Japanese Ambition on a volcano to make it clear that Japan was ambitious about obtaining Hawaii.  This cartoon shows US Imperialism because it once again shows Uncle Sam as a powerful character (his right hand holding the hat almost as a coffee mug over the state of  Hawaii) looking to suppress any other thoughts or feelings from Japan.