Purchase of Alaska

The political cartoon is about the issue of the Purchase of Alaska. The cartoonist is sending the message that the purchase was pretty much a dumb idea. In the back, there are the Russians taking the money that they got from the US. In the front, there is William Seward bringing in a huge chunk of ice, meaning that Alaska was pretty much nothing but useless. People at that time may have thought the same as the cartoonist. Others, may have thought positively by thinking that the chunk of ice was very large. The cartoonist uses symbolism and labeling to make this cartoon persuasive. The symbolism takes place with the wagon and chunk of ice. The wagon represents the treaty between America and Russia. The chunk of ice represents Alaska. Therefore, the treaty “carries” Alaska. The labeling takes place when the wagon is labeled, “Treaty” and above, the ice is labeled “Russian America.” MY opinion on imperialism is that I’m supportive of The cartoon supports my opinion of imperialism by showing the fact that the idea of purchasing Alaska was a waste, but later on, people found that Alaska was a bargain.

"Alaska Government State Capital Juneau Governor Sean Parnell Alaska State Motto." Alaska Government State Capital Juneau Governor Sean Parnell Alaska State Motto. N.p., 29 Mar. 2015. Web. 22 Feb. 2016. <http://www.netstate.com/states/government/ak_government.htm>.