Life — November 20, 1902 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical cover depicts a massive globe surrounded by tiny figures engaged in violent conflict—cars, carriages, and people fighting chaotically across its surface. The caption reads "WHO OWNS IT, ANYWAY?" The cartoon appears to critique imperial competition and colonial rivalries of the early 1900s, when major powers were aggressively competing for global dominance and territorial control. The warring figures represent different nations or factions scrambling for ownership and control of world resources and territories. The ornate left border contains decorative vignettes, typical of Life's design style. This cover likely responds to contemporary international tensions, possibly referencing conflicts over China, African colonization, or other imperial disputes of that era.