Magnified security

Uncle Sam holds a large magnifying glass labeled “National Vanity” which he is using to examine a battleship flying an American flag labeled “U.S. Navy.” He is also holding papers labeled “Monroe Doctrine.” Caption: Why not look at it with the naked eye?

comments and context

Comments and Context

The sailing of the “Great White Fleet” might have prompted the cartoon of Udo J. Keppler at this time, which was the approximate arrival of the fleet in San Francisco. The fleet of 16 battleships, divided into two squadrons, and variously escorted by other vessels in its circumnavigational cruise to many ports, was at sea for 14 months.

President Roosevelt, a Naval historian (his first major book was a history of the Naval War of 1812); former Assistant Secretary of the Navy; and strategist — close friend of Captain A. T. Mahan, whose book The Influence of Sea Power on World History was influential in many world capitals — had several purposes in directing the world cruise.

Every year of his presidency Roosevelt had argued in budget requests for increasing the number and efficiency of the United States naval forces, and he both thanked the Congress and pressured legislators into further support by showcasing the “new” fleet (all vessels had been built since the Spanish-American War).

Roosevelt was also eager that the world — friendly nations and potential adversaries both — see the strength and modern status of American seaborn might. Friendly “ports of call” visits of warships, even to countries with simmering frictions, had long been viewed as a traditional means of showing good will. The USS Maine, for instance, was on a goodwill visit to Cuba when it mysteriously was blown up in Havana Harbor in 1898. The fleet was painted white, with gold and red, white, and blue piping, as a symbol of pacific wishes.

Highlights of the cruise included the necessary route around the Straits of Magellan at the tip of South America, reminding Americans how beneficial would be the Panama Canal, whose work was then proceeding. When the fleet was in Egypt, a devastating earthquake hit Messina, Italy, and the fleet was dispatched so American sailors could assist in rescue efforts.

The point of Udo J. Keppler’s cartoon, and its timing, might well have been to agree with President Roosevelt’s urgent recommendations that the United States Navy be seen realistically by the country and its reluctant Congressmen. With every budget request the president had to cudgel and cajole appropriators, and was able only to have two battleships a year added to the arsenal.

The wonderful personality representation of Uncle Sam, by the way — rural, rough-cut, suggesting wisdom — is a reminder that it was the cartoonist’s father, Joseph Keppler, who is credited with adopting the nascent symbol of the nation (previously “Columbia,” or “Brother Jonathan”) and adding iconic chin-whiskers.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1908-05-06

Creator(s)

Keppler, Udo J., 1872-1956

Period

U.S. President – 2nd Term (March 1905-February 1909)

Repository

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division

Page Count

1

Record Type

Image

Resource Type

Cartoon

Rights

These images are presented through a cooperative effort between the Library of Congress and Dickinson State University. No known restrictions on publication.

Citation