BSBA MM 1-3 // Group 6

Political Caricatures
of the American Era
(1900-1941)
What is
caricature?
(the art of making) a drawing or written or
spoken description of someone that usually
makes them look silly by making part of their
appearance or character more noticeable
than it really is.

Cambridge Dictionary
Background of the Author
 Alfred William McCoy was born on June 8, 1954 in
Concord, Massachusetts to parents, Alfred Mudge
McCoy, Jr. and Margarita Piel. He is an American
historian and educator; and specialized in the history
of the Philippines, foreign policy of the United States,
European colonization of Southeast Asia, illegal drug
trade, and Central Intelligence Agency covert
operation. He is the Fred Harvey Harrington Professor
of History at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

ALFRED W. MCCOY
Academic Background:
McCoy graduated from the Kent School in 1964, where he
earned varsity letters in football, rowing, and wrestling. He
earned a Bachelor of Arts in European History from
Columbia University in 1968, a Master of Arts in Asian Studies
from the University of California, Berkeley in 1969, and a
Doctor of Philosophy in Southeast Asian History from Yale
University in 1977. His dissertation, advised by Harold C.
Conklin was entitled Yloilo: Factional Conflict in a Colonial
Economy, Iloilo Province, Philippines, 1937-1955, which
examined the region of Iloilo.
Other books he made:
Policing America’s Empire: The United States, The
Philippines, and The Rise of the surveillance state. (2009)
Closer Than Brothers ( 1999)
The Politics of Heroin In Southeast Asia (1972)

Accomplishment:
He earned the Philippine National Book Award for history in
the year 1985, 1995, 2001.
Historical Background
of the Document
Political Caricatures of the American Era is a compilation of 377 editorial cartoons
and caricatures made by various Filipino artists that tackle the situation during the
American era in the Philippines from 1900 to 1941.

The Filipino political caricature gained their full expression during the American era.
Filipinos use cartoons mimicking a certain personality as a form of an insult that
depicts societal issues, especially those people in power.

While the 377 cartoons compiled in this book speak for themselves,
historian Alfred McCoy's extensive research in Philippine and
American archives provides a comprehensive background not only
to the cartoons but to the turbulent period as well.
 Content Presentation and
Analysis of the Important
Historical Information Found in
the Document
 A PUBLIC POST IS NOT
A HEREDITARY CROWN
THE INDEPENDENT ON MAY 20, 1916
The cartoon shows a politician from Tondo,
named Dr. Santos, passing his crown to his
brother-in-law, Dr. Barcelona. A Filipino guy (as
depicted wearing salakot and barong tagalog)
was trying to stop Santos, telling the latter to stop giving Barcelona the crown
because it is not his to begin with.
 ANALYSIS
This image portrays a political issue with the
use of symbolism. The crown resembles our
country, the Philippines, our Filipino rights &
sovereignty being handed over to the
Americans by the Spaniards which occurred
during the Treaty of Paris ~ when the Spaniards
sold our country to America for 20 million US dollars. However, the Filipino government,
especially Emilio Aguinaldo attempted to express their opinions & oppose of this
occurrence. Unfortunately, they were not able to as there were no Filipinos present
during the signing of this treaty. It also depicts political dynasty wherein only those in
power and are in the same bloodline of those in power have these abilities to control
political events.
 THE TURN OF THE
MATCHES
LIPANG KALABAW ON AUGUST 24, 1907
In the picture, we can see Uncle Sam rationing
porridge to the politicians and members of the
Progesista Party (sometimes knows as the
Federalista Party) while members of the
Nacionalista Party look on and wait for their turn. This cartoon depicts the patronage
of the United States being coveted by politicians from either of the party.
 ANALYSIS
This image is telling of how any Filipino political
party was keen on getting favored by the
Americans. Because Filipinos did not fully
understand the essence of politics, therefore
creating a division. It became a battle of power
vs power. The real essence of democracy is
meant to bring people together but instead,
politicians' misunderstanding of what democracy is, is what prevents our society from
improving. This is evident even in present time.
 UNCLE SAM RIDING A
CHARIOT
THE INDEPENDENT ON NOV. 27, 1915
Here, we see the caricature of Uncle Sam
riding a chariot pulled by Filipinos wearing
school uniforms. The Filipino boys were
carrying American objects like baseball bats,
whiskey and boxing gloves. McCoy, in his
caption to the said cartoon, it says that this cartoon was based on an event in 1907
when William Howard Taft was brought to the Manila Pier riding a chariot pulled by
students of Liceo de Manila. Such was condemned by the nationalists at that time.
 ANALYSIS
This caricature was based on an event that
happened in 1907 where William Howard Taft
was seen riding a chariot pulled by students
from Liceo De Manila which at that time was
condemned by the nationalists. This depicts
the ways on how the Americans controlled us.
It is said that through seemingly harmless
change of mentality, they were able to
manipulate Filipinos; by their own cultural influences (like the use of baseball bats,
boxing gloves and uniforms).
 WAR AGAINST
SPECULATOR
THE INDEPENDENT ON JUNE 16, 1916
“War against Speculator” was a cartoon drawn
by Fernando Amorsolo. It depicts a Filipino
child who stole a skinny chicken because he
had nothing to eat. The police officer was
relentlessly pursuing the said child. A man
wearing a salakot named Juan de la Cruz was grabbing the officer, telling him to
leave the small time pockets and thieves and to turn at the great thieves instead.
He was pointing to huge warehouse containing bulks of rice, milk and grocery
products.
 ANALYSIS
This caricature is aimed towards the police in
Manila during those times wherein
modernization, industrialization and capitalism
rose in the Philippines. It depicts the image of
classism and inequality due the gap between
the rich and poor. The rich being those with
higher power and money. As you can see, the
officer could have chased after the bigger thieves but chose to run after a hungry
child instead. This caricature serves as both a reminder and reflection of the society
we had and still have today.
 Contribution and Relevance of
the Document in Understanding
the Grand Narrative of
Philippine History
Political cartoons and caricature have been important in conveying people's
perceptions and feelings through drawing from the beginning and up until the
present. And cartoons became an effective tool of publicizing opinions through
heavy use of symbolism.

Cartoons have become more and more popular throughout time because images
can instantly capture people's emotions. Political cartoons act as introductions to
the prevailing ideologies of that time. One positive effect of Political caricatures it
played an important role in informing the general public about political issues, the
condition of our country, and arguments during the American era since they help
us see the problem.
The political caricature of the American era shows how Americans deceived and
fooled us by manipulating our conscience and intellect. The political cartoon details
every issue and impact Americans have had on Filipinos as well as how Filipinos
responded to these incidents since they thought Americans were nice. Along with
all of the scandals and controversies that occurred throughout the American era, it
also symbolizes anti-American attitude.

McCoy together with Alfredo Roces compiled political cartoons published in

newspapers.
The selected cartoons illustrate not only the opinion of certain media outfits about
the Philippine society during the American Period but also paint a broad image of
society and politics.
Through these cartoons, future generations would be able to get a view of the
previous Philippine society. It also serves as a research and guideline for future
generations. People can visualize politics and enjoy the representations that match
with their perspective by using political cartoons. Clarify historical details, reflect
people's emotions, and use art to explore political and social concerns.
END OF PRESENTATION