PHILIPPINE CARTOONS: POLITICAL

CARICATURE OF THE AMERICAN ERA

(1900-1941)

Alfred W. McCoy

The four decades of American colonial rule were a formative period in the Philippine history.
The Philippine move forward from an authoritarian Spanish regime to autonomy and freedom. Under
U.S colonial tutelage, the Philippine experienced a process of Americanization and modernization that
has left a lasting legacy. Even at first contact in the 16th century, the Spanish conquistadors found that
Filipino possessed a sophisticated material, culture and a complex society. At the close to Spanish era in
1898, the Philippine already had substantial cities, a thriving export agriculture, and strong church and
state structures. The revolution defeat of the Spanish empire in 1898 is an ample testimony to the
sophistication of Filipino society. Like the nationalist the Philippine press established itself during the
decade following the American invasion of 1898. it was the time of remarkable ferment and cultural
creativity. Censorship laws after the end of military rule 1901 provided and outlet for their protest.
The Spanish Comision permanente de censura simply banned all Filipino creativity, American press
control were much more flexible. Spanish censorhip simply banned any non-religious Filipino
publication and made it impossible to even consider opening a newspaper in late 19th century manila
Manilas first Spanish daily newspaper began publishing in 1846. The Filipino gained their earliest
editorial experience as propagandist in Madrid or a newspaper publisher for the revolution in 1898-99.
The first Filipino daily newspaper, La Independencia, appeared. Published clandestinely in Manila, the
paper was directed by Antonio Luna.

During the American era, Philippine political cartoons gained full expression during the
American era. Filipino artists recorded national attitudes toward the coming of the Americans as well as
the changing mores and times. While the 377 cartoons compiled in this book speak for themselves,
historian Alfred McCoy’s extensive research in Philippine and American archives provides a
comprehensive background not only to the cartoons but to the turbulent period as well. Philippine
political cartoons gained full expression during the American era. Filipino artists recorded national
attitudes toward the coming of the Americans as well as the changing mores and times. While the 377
cartoons compiled in this book speak for themselves, historian Alfred McCoy’s extensive research in
Philippine and American archives provides a comprehensive background not only to the cartoons but to
the turbulent period as well. Artist-writer Alfredo Roces, who designed the book, contributes an essay
on Philippine graphic satire of the period.
SOURCES:

https://www.scribd.com/document/423887348/Political-Caricature-of-the-American-Era-by-Alfred-
Mccoy

https://prezi.com/p/lnxj192w5f-x/political-caricatures-of-the-american-era/

https://www.slideshare.net/lovelythegreat/philippine-history-report-146728071

CONTEXT OF PHILIPPINE CARTOONS:

POLITICAL CARICATURE OF THE
AMERICAN ERA (1900-1941)
The presentation of the cartoons varies from racial to conservative, producing powerful feelings
and wordy to express the cartoonist’s views and languages used are either in English or Spanish. The
victims are presented in a bad and sorry state to convey sympathy from the readers. The characters to
emphasize on the “good side” are shown in normal features while the “bad” emaciated, leering,
laughing creatures, more on animal features than human. The artists, using their cartoons, illustrated
not just their opinions, but broad image of the Philippines under the US.

The transition from Spanish Colonial period to American Occupation shows different changes as
well as in culture, society, and politics. The drastic introduction of democracy to a nation not properly
oriented about it and its consequences are far from ideal. Thus, it ushered free press. The rich remained
affluent and powerful, while the poor people remained poor, desperate, and victims of state repression.

Editorial Cartoons play an important role in understanding the Filipinos' sentiments concerning
the transition of governance from Spain to the Americans. Pressing issues are clearly illustrated in the
caricature of characters and satirized situations in the Philippine Society during the American era.
Indeed, artists’ works are relevant in the study of Philippine History. Artists’ free expression of thoughts
through their cartoons or caricatures somehow influenced the Filipinos at that particular period.

Media influence can be an actual force resulting change in audience or individual beliefs. These
effects can be positive or negative, abrupt or gradual, short-term or long-lasting. However, not all
effects result in change: some media messages reinforce an existing belief, attitudes, as well as behavior
of the populace. Cartoon editorials compiled by McCoy as a print media, surely have made an impact
among the Filipino readers during the American period until today. Also the condition of the poor
Filipinos under the American reign.
 REFLECTION ABOUT MY JOURNEY ON MY
WHOLE SEMESTER WITH READING THE
PHILIPPINE HISTORY (RIPH)

In the Reading in the Philippine History is I really learned a lot about this subject. Every lesson
that our teacher discussed he really tackled it well and in a wider perspective. The way he teach the
students is really exciting and full of surprise that's why the students really activates the brain to think
not just in a superficial but using critical thinking and analysis. In this subject I really love our teacher I
don't know the way he teach us you can see the passion of how he love teaching to students, he really
share his knowledge and experience.
 BIOGRAPHY

As an avid lover of books, Erika Magsigay has dreamed of being a teacher since she was
a 7 years old