Life — July 20, 1911 — page 11: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Explanation for Modern Readers This page contains two political cartoons satirizing early 20th-century American imperialism. **"Guggenheim"** (top): Shows Russia selling Alaska to Uncle Sam (the tall American figure). The Russian official holds a bag labeled "Alaska" while an American businessman examines the purchase. The joke references the historical 1867 Alaska Purchase, but appears to mock either contemporary business dealings or territorial ambitions involving the Guggenheim family, prominent industrialists. **"Soul States"** (bottom): A queue of well-dressed figures waits at a window marked "Statehood License Bureau." The satire suggests that American statehood had become a commercialized commodity—states were being admitted based on business interests rather than genuine readiness or democratic principles. A small dog observes the scene. Both cartoons critique American expansionism and corporate influence on government policy.