Open Door Policy

Open Door Policy

 

This particular cartoon was about the Open Door Policy. The cartoonist’s message clearly shows American Imperialism at its heart. It depicts a figure resembling Uncle Sam standing on China as other country leaders are down on their knees almost succumbing to the US not abiding by the rule that no single country should have a monopoly on trade with China. Perhaps if someone else were viewing this cartoon, they might have an opinion that Uncle Sam/ the United States is to have China as its own US territory.

This cartoonist is using symbolism as a persuasive technique.  Symbolism is their choice because the Uncle Sam figure in the cartoon is holding a sword and the other country leaders are grasping scissors.  If the US were to abide by the principals of the Open Door Policy, the Uncle Sam figure would too be holding scissors and not a sword and would be on his knees or bottom as well.  This cartoonist also uses irony as Uncle Sam is actually standing on China, which is not possible.  This cartoon shows US Imperialism because it demonstrates how Uncle Sam (and the United States) has a stronghold over other countries by not joining the other country leaders on the ground and holding scissors.