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School Begins, 1899
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School Begins, 1899
1574145 School Begins, 1899; (add.info.: School begins by Louis Dalrymple, 1866-1905, 1899 chromolithograph. Print shows Uncle Sam as a teacher, standing behind a desk in front of his new students who are labelled "Cuba, Porto Rico, Hawaii, [and] Philippines"; they do not look happy to be there. At the rear of the classroom are students holding books labelled "California, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, [and] Alaska". At the far left, an African American boy cleans the windows, and in the background, a Native boy sits by himself, reading an upside-down book labelled "ABC", an a Chinese boy stands just outside the door.); Universal History Archive/UIG
Media ID 38089346
© Universal History Archive/UIG / Bridgeman Images
Classrooms Imperialism Louis Dalrymple Students Teachers Uncle Sam America Continent Autonomy
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School Begins, 1899
EDITORS COMMENTS
is a powerful and thought-provoking chromolithograph by Louis Dalrymple that captures the essence of American imperialism at the turn of the century. In this satirical drawing, Uncle Sam takes on the role of teacher, overseeing a classroom filled with new students representing territories recently acquired by the United States - Cuba, Porto Rico, Hawaii, and the Philippines. The expressions on their faces convey their lack of enthusiasm for being under Uncle Sam's tutelage.
The background of the classroom reveals even more layers to this complex image. Students holding books labeled with states like California and Texas suggest America's expansionism within its own borders. An African American boy cleaning windows symbolizes racial inequality, while a Native boy reading an upside-down book labeled "ABC" speaks to cultural assimilation. A Chinese boy standing just outside the door hints at exclusion from mainstream education.
Through subtle yet impactful imagery, Dalrymple critiques not only imperialism but also issues of race and autonomy in American society. "School Begins, 1899" serves as a reminder of our nation's complicated history and challenges viewers to reflect on how far we have come - or still have to go - in achieving true equality and justice for all.
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