Judge — June 28, 1902 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is a four-panel satirical cartoon critiquing American imperialist policy, likely from the late 19th or early 20th century. It depicts a "chain of exploitation" showing: 1. **Spanish colonizer** oppressing an Indigenous person 2. **Indigenous person** oppressing a cliff-dweller (Native American) 3. **Historic man** oppressing a monkey 4. **Monkey** dominating a dinosaur The caption suggests this represents the inevitable "devolution" if America adopts Spain's colonial policies. The cartoon saririzes U.S. imperialism by showing how domination and conquest perpetuate downward, suggesting America risks becoming as exploitative as European colonial powers. The "United States" label on the items being handed down emphasizes the cartoon's warning about American expansion and its moral consequences.