Judge — June 10, 1899 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical cartoon critiques American imperialism and the rhetoric surrounding it. The image appears to depict a figure (likely representing an indigenous or colonized people) surrounded by various signs advertising "American" products and values—labeled with prices and commercial claims. The satire targets the contradictory promise that American "civilization" brings progress and prosperity. The figure is overwhelmed by commercial signs and markers, suggesting that American expansion actually means commercial exploitation disguised as benevolent development. The "before and after" framing in the title is ironic: the cartoon implies that "taking advantage of American civilization" actually means being taken advantage *of* by American commercial interests. This reflects early-20th-century Judge magazine's skepticism toward American imperialism and commercial expansion, particularly relevant during the era of American overseas territorial acquisition. The cartoon mocks both the imperial project and the ideological justification that portrayed it as civilizing rather than exploitative.