The Wasp — 1878 — page 160: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical cartoon depicts **Uncle Sam** (the tall figure in the center, identifiable by his characteristic hat) surveying his farm during what appears to be a crisis. The image shows numerous people gathered at the farm's fence, seemingly in distress or seeking assistance. The caption references **China** and states "All who can do so are making preparations to" leave—the text cuts off, but clearly indicates emigration or evacuation concerns. This likely satirizes American anxieties about **Chinese immigration and instability in China** during the late 19th/early 20th century. The cartoon suggests that internal turmoil in China is driving immigration pressure on American shores, portraying this as a threat to American prosperity ("Uncle Sam's Farm"). The satire criticizes both the immigrant influx and broader geopolitical instability.