Propaganda

I think propaganda can be defined as : An image or a slogan presented to the public by the government to promote a specific idea. 

Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines propaganda as, "ideas, facts, or allegations spread deliberately to further one's cause or to damage an opposing cause; also  :  a public action having such an effect"

Propaganda posters 
The first poster shows a woman with a red cross hat and an arm reaching out holding a young girl, while a glowing red cross floats above a war scene. It say "Our Greatest Mother" and "Join!" in bold font. The glowing around the cross makes me believe this is a type of religious scene, and the message is that if you are a good christian woman and mother, you should join the red cross as a nurse.

The second poster shows a woman dressed in a nurses uniform with a diploma in her hand opening a door with the word "Opportunity" on it, and behind her, there are buildings on fire. The meaning of this is quite literal. The woman is opening the door and stepping into many opportunities and leaving her past behind. She is able to do this because she has a diploma and is a trained nurse, which was accomplished by doing what the text box on the bottom right corner of the poster says, which is enrolling in the advertised school. 

The third poster shows a woman inside a station working a communications center in the middle of the war, and the background is filled with soldiers who are suited up. A YWCA flag is hung up above her work station, and the bottom of the poster has the words " Back our girls over there United Work War Campaign" in bold, and the YWCA logo is drawn again next to it. The YWCA is the Young Women's Christian Association which is the oldest international women's organization that works towards empowerment, leadership, and equal rights for women. The message this poster sends is that women can have a very important job in the center of the war just like the hundreds of  male soldiers on the battle field surrounding her. It is an endorsement poster for the YWCA because it is saying that they are the reason she is able to take part in the war efforts. 

I think that if the government chooses to use tax-dollars for something, that it should not be to convince us of something they believe in. It almost seems like an abuse of power to use other people's money to further your own agenda. The idea of the government using propaganda makes me uncomfortable, because it does not seem very constitutional or American that the people in power are trying to unify everyone's opinion, instead of letting people having their own. 
However, I don't think that during WWI the government had the intent of being un-American, rather they felt it was necessary and used it was a weapon in the war. 

Hawaiian: The Legend of Eddie Aikau

         The film, Hawaiian: The Legend of Eddie Aikau, focuses on the story of a surfer in the mid-20th century, but also provides a more negative perspective on 19th century imperialism. Eddie's family pieces together his story of his powerful connection with the waves, and how he used his success positively. Instead of getting mad at the imperialism that was occurring around him, he just continued to do his thing and helped revive the Hawaiian culture and spirit in the lives of all the people he could reach. 

        His brother speaks about how Eddie and him were not allowed to go to many beaches, since they became private and for the wealthy people, the majority being non-Hawaiin. his brother started crying when he said this and seemed extremely disturbed just thinking about it. This did not stop Eddie or slow him down at all. This experience was not an isolated event at all as many things began to change. Eddie, who was one of the best surfers and ranked very well and often won competitions, soon began having foreign competition such as surfers from Australia that would beat him. According to the Aikau's, the presence of these new surfers became intrusive and unappreciated by many natives. They were described to be rude and boastful as well as talking down on the Hawaiian surfers. This presence strengthened as the competitions and beaches became more commercialized and run by Americans. 

        Even though his family did not, it seemed that Eddie remained unfazed by this. When he was lifeguarding, one of the famous Australian surfers who contributed to the unappreciated presence drowned, and Eddie saved him and started talking to him and others and trying to explain his and his family's point of view, which apparently worked. 

        These were just a few of the encounters that were described, and probably an even smaller fraction of how many the Aikau's experienced daily. Regardless, the point is that this family and definitely most other native Hawaiian's felt like they were being removed and invaded in their own homes, and weren't even able to win some competitions or go to some beaches because of their heritage. This movie represented an accurate idea of what living in the midst of the imperialism must have been like, as it showed how much it affected a family and person. Eddie used the negativity he saw and tried to promote his Hawaiian identity. The story ends on the boat, the Hokolea which Eddie gets on so he can find himself more, but ends up dying which really emphasizes the point of how much his culture mattered to him. 

American imperialism in Hawaii

The Eddie Surf competition

How do you analyze a political cartoon?

What I think:

To analyze a political cartoon, I think you need to closely observe various small details such as facial expressions, words/signs, and body gestures in order to understand the message or point of view the cartoonist was hoping to convey. Most of those details probably relay a bigger idea. 

After reading a guide 

for analyzing political cartoons:

I was right by saying the small details relay a bigger idea. The guide (linked below) says symbolism is one of the first things you should search for.  You should try to focus on one aspect at a time and try to deduce what it is a symbol for. I also learned that exaggeration, labeling, analogy, and irony are the others that you need to observe. The viewer should search for exaggerated features such as overdone and overblown characteristics like facial expressions or enlarged body parts. I was also right by saying that words/signs are important. This guide says cartoonists label things for a reason, and if anything is labeled it has significance. After observing a cartoon for a while you should be ready to decide what the cartoons analogy is, more specifically what event as a whole do you believe it is related to, then you will be able to narrow what the meaning truly is.  To do that, the guide suggest looking for irony in the scene displayed, and then focus on that to decide the author's take on the situation. 

How I will now look at political cartoons:

I will use the method that this guide suggests. To start, I will search for obvious symbolism, and any apparent Irony to try and figure out what situation the cartoon is referring to. Then, to understand the cartoon's analogy fully, I will observe the exaggerated features and any text or labels that are on the cartoon. As the guide suggests, I will ask myself questions such as , "What is the cartoonist’s opinion on this issue?" , "What other opinion can you imagine another person having on this issue?"

Cartoon about the Spanish/American war:

I can see this cartoon is in the unfavorable view of President McKinley in specific. I know this because of the text that says "LET GO OF HIM, MCKINLEY!".  It shows an American trying to hold the President back, which we know since he is hanging under the American Flag. A bald eagle, which is America's national bird is hanging over with his wings spread and talons up, which makes it seem like it is attacking. The bird is hovering above a man lying on the ground, probably dead, and a woman cowering in fear. This message of this is that America is already defeating Spain viciously, but McKinley is trying to really go the extra and unnecessary mile, which seems almost inhumane since they are already dead. We can see this since McKinley has a sword in his hand and looks like he is about to stab a man that is already dead. The bald eagle, McKinley, and the Flag are exaggerated features to emphasize the point that they are greater in the war and should be feared. It makes the fallen soldier and woman look small in comparison, and like the battle is unfair. The American holding the president back is a bold move since it is the president after all, and that they are on the same side, but even he believes that McKinley is going too far. 

Cartoon about the Philippine Conflict:

This cartoon is in favor of America. The large boot stepping on the Philippines (we know due to the label that says "Philippines") is assumed to be American because of the striped pant. This feature is enlarged to show that America is greater and can step all over the Philippines if the please. The small man that is assumed to be Philippine, is trying to unsuccessfully stab the boot which shows that they are defenseless and should give up trying to stop America.  The sign stating the U.S. is taking over is also taller than the man and the trees, which is another way to show that America is bigger and their presence is strong. 

Political Cartoon about American Imperialism

This cartoon is favorable in the view America and president McKinley. I figured that this was president McKinley because he is tall, and his nose and other facial features look like those of McKinley's. This cartoon is trying to say that America is right in trying to obtain Puerto Rico , Cuba, Hawaii, and the Philippines since their current state is disastrous. We get this idea due to the unbehaved and messy babies crawling all over the president. They are acting poorly while pulling hair, and screaming, and as Hawaii is breaking dishes. This is in favor of  McKinley since it shows he its trying to carry the babies despite their actions and appearance, relaying the idea that McKinley is just trying to help these "unruly" countries.