Life, 1899-04-06 · page 1 of 20
Life — April 6, 1899 — page 1: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Life Magazine, April 6, 1899 - Political Cartoon Analysis This page features a satirical illustration titled "A Possible Result of the Open Door: 'Outer China 'Cross the Bay.'" The cartoon depicts a grotesque, demon-like creature on a wheeled vehicle, appearing to arrive by sea. The "Open Door" reference concerns the Open Door Policy toward China, debated in American politics at this time. The imagery suggests xenophobic anxiety about Chinese immigration and the consequences of unrestricted trade/access. The monstrous caricature represents inflammatory anti-Chinese sentiment prevalent in 1899 America. The decorative border on the left contains smaller vignettes, typical of Life's design. The overall composition mocks both the open-door advocates and expresses period racism toward Chinese people and their potential arrival in America.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
VOLUME XXxXIll. NEW YORK, APRIL 6, 1899. , pe NUMBER 854, Entered at the New York Post Office as Second-Class Mall Matter. Copyright, 1899, by Live PrBLIsHING ComPaNy. A POSSIBLE RESULT OF THE OPEN DOOR. “OUTER CHINA 'CROST THE Bar.”