Teddy and Taft
Describe how Teddy is dressed.
Theodore Roosevelt is dressed as a sheep herder, which draws a connection to the popular children's nursery rhyme 'Mary Had a Little Lamb'. Theodore Roosevelt laid the foundations for the 'dollar diplomacy' idea in 1904, which William Howard Taft adapted. Roosevelt is displayed as leading Taft because he was a forerunner of the 'dollar diplomacy' idea.
Describe how Taft is portrayed.
Taft is portrayed as a sheep under the ownership of Teddy Roosevelt (notice the TR on the bell). Taft is drawn as a sheep because he followed in Roosevelt's footsteps and drew on his 'dollar diplomacy' idea, just as a sheep follows it's herder. Taft and Roosevelt were good friends, thus Roosevelt was depicted with his arm around Taft's head.
What is the message of this political cartoon?
The message of this political cartoon is that 'dollar diplomacy' (the idea that capital can be increased by furthering the investment of other countries) was initiated by Roosevelt and instated by Taft. Taft and Roosevelt, two close knit politicians, are displayed as a sheep and it's herder.
Why did the artist choose to characterize Teddy and Taft in this manner?
The artist slightly mocks Taft and Roosevelt by characterising them in this manner. By portraying Roosevelt in a feminine dress and Taft as a sheep, the artist also portrays in a ridiculous light.
Theodore Roosevelt is dressed as a sheep herder, which draws a connection to the popular children's nursery rhyme 'Mary Had a Little Lamb'. Theodore Roosevelt laid the foundations for the 'dollar diplomacy' idea in 1904, which William Howard Taft adapted. Roosevelt is displayed as leading Taft because he was a forerunner of the 'dollar diplomacy' idea.
Describe how Taft is portrayed.
Taft is portrayed as a sheep under the ownership of Teddy Roosevelt (notice the TR on the bell). Taft is drawn as a sheep because he followed in Roosevelt's footsteps and drew on his 'dollar diplomacy' idea, just as a sheep follows it's herder. Taft and Roosevelt were good friends, thus Roosevelt was depicted with his arm around Taft's head.
What is the message of this political cartoon?
The message of this political cartoon is that 'dollar diplomacy' (the idea that capital can be increased by furthering the investment of other countries) was initiated by Roosevelt and instated by Taft. Taft and Roosevelt, two close knit politicians, are displayed as a sheep and it's herder.
Why did the artist choose to characterize Teddy and Taft in this manner?
The artist slightly mocks Taft and Roosevelt by characterising them in this manner. By portraying Roosevelt in a feminine dress and Taft as a sheep, the artist also portrays in a ridiculous light.