Judge — December 15, 1883 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page contains two connected satirical cartoons about Native Americans and labor. The top panel, captioned "PUT THE INDIANS TO WORK," shows Native Americans being directed toward labor by white authority figures carrying tools and buckets. The bottom panel, "SEND THE INDIANS BACK TO RESERVATIONS," depicts the reverse—Native Americans being escorted away. The satire critiques inconsistent U.S. Indian policy: politicians alternately demanded Native Americans be forced into labor for "civilization" or removed to reservations, depending on economic circumstances. The cartoons mock this contradictory, exploitative approach that treated Native Americans as disposable labor rather than addressing their actual needs or rights. The repeated reversal emphasizes the arbitrary, self-serving nature of government Indian policy.