What is your interpretation of this political cartoon on 19th century imperialism?

  • Thread starter Thread starter 9388
  • Start date Start date
9

9388

Guest
Chamberlain;"The lowest corner down yonder, must be painted red!"

Queen Victoria is seen painting South Africa with blood.

I could not find a copy on the internet but above is the text in the cartoon. Please help me make sense of it.
 
i think it means that chamberlain is persuading queen victoria to make south africa as part of the british empire
and the blood means there could be war between th british and the south africans.
 
I found it on the internet as part of an AP history DBQ. I have taught AP European History, so hopefully I will be of some help. When you interpret cartoons, you need to list (mentally or on paper) just what you see. You also need to have some background knowledge about what is going on. The main thing you are doing is to tell what the artist is trying to tell the public about that situation.

You already know it has something to do with Queen Victoria, Chamberlain, and South Africa. What is QV doing? She is painting a picture on the wall, and the picture is a map. Chamberlain leans over to advise her how to paint South Africa. Who is Chamberlain? He was Secretary of State for the Colonies. We see part of a person holding the paint pot. Who is that person? From the sword and uniform, it is a soldier, and the paint is blood.

The artist is saying that Victoria is like a fat old lady with a lady's hobby. She is not in control of her empire. Chamberlain is directing what she does and is a bad influence. He will force her to involve Britain in a bloody war in South Africa.
 
Back
Top