Hawaii Digital Newspaper Program UH Manoa Library
Hawaiian Situation Explained
After the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy in January 1893, the United States was considering annexing Hawaii.
In the late 1890s, American political cartoons illustrated manifest destiny, or America's geopolitical and colonial expansion. The United States considered annexing Hawaii, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines.
Cartoons portrayed the territories as children with dark skin, grass skirts, nappy hair, and bare feet. Uncle Sam personified the United States, their supposed warden.
Political cartoons expressed, shaped, reinforced, and reflected social, political, and racial conditions of a society. Therefore, newspapers used cartoons as propaganda to shape public opinion. As mirrors to public knowledge, cartoons showed what the public knew.
- Alice Kim
“It is said that Queen Lil is really not eager to return to the throne.”
Hawaiian Situation Explained
Evening world, Dec. 14, 1893, Image 1
chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030193/1893-12-14/ed-...
Hawaii Digital Newspaper Project
Hawaiian Situation Explained
After the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy in January 1893, the United States was considering annexing Hawaii.
In the late 1890s, American political cartoons illustrated manifest destiny, or America's geopolitical and colonial expansion. The United States considered annexing Hawaii, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines.
Cartoons portrayed the territories as children with dark skin, grass skirts, nappy hair, and bare feet. Uncle Sam personified the United States, their supposed warden.
Political cartoons expressed, shaped, reinforced, and reflected social, political, and racial conditions of a society. Therefore, newspapers used cartoons as propaganda to shape public opinion. As mirrors to public knowledge, cartoons showed what the public knew.
- Alice Kim
“It is said that Queen Lil is really not eager to return to the throne.”
Hawaiian Situation Explained
Evening world, Dec. 14, 1893, Image 1
chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030193/1893-12-14/ed-...
Hawaii Digital Newspaper Project