0. William Taft’s Dollar diplomacy
Political Cartoons
William Taft’s Dollar diplomacy

1. Individuals
William Taft- 27th president, chosen especially by Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt-26th president
William Loeb Jr.- Roosevelt’s right hand man

2. Symbols The baby represents Theodore Roosevelt’s policies
The maid outfit that Taft is wearing symbolizes that Taft will become the new caretaker of Roosevelt’s policies.
The bus boy uniform symbolizes Loeb’s service to Roosevelt
The “Big Stick” that Loeb is carrying away from the white house represents how Taft will not continue that particular Policy.

3. Historical Context
Depicted in this scene is outgoing president Theodore Roosevelt giving over his policies and responsibilities to incoming president William Taft

4. Limitations
The understanding of cartoon is flawed due the the authors description of Taft as a political maid, just a placeholder for Roosevelt. The cartoon is corrupted because it generally sided with the Bourbon Democrats, a sect of the democratic party that was more conservative than others. One notable Bourbon Democrat was Grover Cleveland. Bourbon Democrats opposed U.S. Imperialism abroad, and supported laissez-faire capitalism.

5. Value
The value of this Cartoon is that it gives a more narrowed focus on this time period, more so than another cartoon encompassing a more wide time period. Also, this cartoon shows the similarities between taft and Roosevelt. Furthermore it portrays as essentially becoming the new Roosevelt, and not changing much. Although it shows Theodore Roosevelt leaving with his “Big Stick” Policy, implying that Taft will not uphold that policy.

6. US Territorial Expansion
Yes, Territorial Expansion was to a large extent a legitimate policy and the turn of the 19th century. The United States want to have the best economic, military, social, and political status. Many other countries, such as England, practiced imperialism during this time, thus in order for the US to become and remain the best it had to expand its territory.

7. A project by...
ADAM2