Political Caricatures of the

American Era (1900-1941)

from Alfred McCoy’s Philippine Cartoons
What is a caricature?
is a picture, description, or
imitation of a person with certain
striking human features are
exaggerated in order to poke fun at its
subjects and create a comic.

In this sense, caricature has been

utilized by artists in print medias as a
form of social and political
commentary where the targets are
persons of power and authority.
 Why study caricatures during this era?
Aside from verbose written editorial and opinion
pieces, Caricature is an effective tool in publicizing
opinion through the heavy use of symbolism. Not only
does it capture reader’s attention but broadens their
imagination as well.

Because of that, caricature which is viewed as art form

and its commentaries shaped the public opinion and
therefore worthy of studying.
 Alfred McCoy
Is a professor of the
Southeast Asian History at
the University of Wisconsin.
He spent the past thirty years
of writing about Southeast
Asian history and politics.
One of his publications were
The Philippine Cartoons (1985): Political
Cartoons in the American Era
1900 – 1941 Philippine political cartoons gained
full expression during the American era wherein
Filipino artists recorded national attitudes toward
the coming of the Americans as well as the
changing times.

This book is a compilation of 377 political

cartoons published in newspaper dailies and
periodicals in the said era by Alfred McCoy and
Alfredo Roces.
 Sack Race in
Cavite
Published in Lipag
Kalabaw on Aug 10,
1907

Victory of
Nationalist party
candidate Rafael
Palma over
Federalista party ny
1,893 votes to 446.
with the support of
Gen Emilio
Aguinaldo, he won
the seat with a
reward of lavish
20.00 per day Salary
 El Turno De
Los Partidos
Published in The Lipag
Kalabaw on Aug 24,
1907

Uncle Sam rationing

porridges to the
politicians and
members of
Federalista Party
while the Nacionalista
party look on and wait
for their turn.
Shows patronage of
the US coveted by
politicians by either
party.
 Convenient
Blindness
Published in Lipag
Kalabaw on June 06,
1908

Provincial
preoccupation with
gambling. It is sow
widespread that
everyone – the
municipal president,
provincial board and
governor – do
nothing but gamble
 Uncle Sam
riding a chariot
Published in The
Independent on Nov 29,
1915

Uncle Sam riding a

chariot pulled by
Filipinos wearing
school uniforms.
The Filipino boys
were holding
American objects
such as baseball bat,
whiskey and boxing
gloves. Based on
William Taft
A public post is
not a hereditary
crown
published in The
Independent on May
20,1916

Politician from
Tondo, Dr. Santos,
passing his crown to
his brother Dr.
Barcelona. A
Filipino is trying to
stop Santos because
the crown is not his
to begin with
War against the
speculators
Published in The
Independent on June
16, 1917
Drawn by Fernando
Amorsolo

A Filipino is grabbing a
police officer telling
him to leave small-time
pick pocketers and
focus on great thieves.
He is pointing at a big
warehouse containing
bulks of rice, milk, and
grocery products
 Death cars

Published in The
Philippine Free
Press

Unprecedented cases
of colorum
automobiles and the
fatal accidents that
happen too often
already. Colorum
vehicles are vehicles
masquerading as
PUV (public utility
vehicles)
Flaming Youth
Published in The
Independent

couples are not

allowed to neck
and make love
inside the theater.
Two youngsters
looked horrified
while an older
couple seemed
amused.
 Mamumuong
Amerikano -
Mamumuong
Pilipinhon
Published in The Bag-
ong Kusog on
November 9, 1929

The evident
inequality in the
Philippines in terms
of handling
employees and
laborers. Americans
are compensated and
supported well.
All the “Sheep”
Seek Reelection
Published in The
Philippine Free
Press on June 19,
1939

Philippines became
bicameral in state
and presidency is
not to for re election.
 Changing
Bosses
Published in The
Philippine Free Press on
Sept 21, 1939

Sergio Osmena,
the Vice President
of Manuel L.
Quezon takes over
seat as the
President
 Analysis of Political Caricatures during the
American Period
>> Transition from the Spanish Colonial period to American Occupation
-- Democracy is introduced
-- Different manifestations of modernity such as health care, modernized
transportation and media.

>> Cartoons painted a broad image of society and politics under the United
States
-- political dynasty in Tondo (seen in “A political post is not hereditary”)
-- patronage between parties where politicians transfer from one party to
another depending on which is powerful in specific time period (seen in El
Turno De Los Partidos)
 Analysis of Political Caricatures during the
American Period
>>Transition from the Catholic-centered to American-assimilated one
-- unprecedented increase of motor vehicles lead to accidents and kolorum
(seen in “Death Cars”)
-- disturbance of conservative Filipino mindset (seen in “Flaming Youth”)

>>Cartoons illustrated the conditions of poof Filipinos in the Philippines under

the US
-- oppression of small-time Filipino criminals while turning a blind eye on
hoarders in huge warehouses (seen in “War against speculators”)
-- control of Americans over Filipinos’ consciousness and mentality through
seemingly harmless American objects. (seen in “Uncle Sam riding a chariot)