Judge — June 30, 1906 — page 8: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This cartoon satirizes American protectionist sentiment circa 1908. A man labeled "Congressman Wadsworth" wields a rake against European boycotts of American goods. Signs behind him read "BEWARE OF AMERICAN PRODUCTS," "WARNING! USE NO AMERICAN GOODS," and "REFUSE ALL AMERICAN GOODS!"—representing European retaliation. The cartoon depicts a trade war: Europeans are boycotting American meat and agricultural exports (the packing house reference), while Wadsworth attempts to sweep away this opposition. The "European Bill Board" in the background advertises the boycott campaign. The satire suggests that protectionist policies provoke foreign retaliation, creating economic problems the congressman cannot simply "rake away." The cartoon critiques the futility of nationalist trade barriers in generating international economic conflict.