Anti Colonialism Collection

The Devilfish in Egyptian Waters. An American cartoon from 1882 depicting John Bull (England)
IMPERIALISM CARTOON, 1882. The Devilfish in Egyptian Waters. An American cartoon from 1882 depicting John Bull (England) as the octopus of imperialism grabbing land on every continent

ANTI-RUSSIAN MAP, 1904. A Humorous Diplomatic Atlas of Europe and Asia. Japanese propaganda handbill of 1904 portraying Russia as a grasping octopus

MOHANDAS GANDHI (1869-1948). Hindu nationalist and spiritual leader. Photographed with Jawaharlal Nehru at the All India Congress in Bombay, India, 1 July 1946

The New Imperialism. American cartoon, 1951, by D. R. Fitzpatrick on the growing empire of Joseph Stalins Soviet Union
RUSSIA: IMPERIALISM, 1951. The New Imperialism. American cartoon, 1951, by D.R. Fitzpatrick on the growing empire of Joseph Stalins Soviet Union

Well, I Hardly Know Which To Take First! American cartoon comment, c1900, on Uncle Sams seemingly insatiable
IMPERIALISM CARTOON, c1900. Well, I Hardly Know Which To Take First! American cartoon comment, c1900, on Uncle Sams seemingly insatiable imperialist appetite, as President William McKinley, at right

T. Roosevelt Cartoon
T. ROOSEVELT CARTOON. Worlds Constable. Cartoon by Louis Dalrymple, 1905, depicting President Theodore Roosevelt using his New Diplomacy to police the world

AMERICAN IMPERIALISM, 1904. The Eagle of American Imperialism with wings spread from Puerto Rico to the Philippines. American cartoon, 1904, by Joseph Keppler, Jr

Assassination of a friend of France in Morocco (colour litho)
2818232 Assassination of a friend of France in Morocco (colour litho) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Assassination of a friend of France in Morocco)

Demonstrations in Berlin in protest at the sending of troops to German South-West Africa (colour litho)
2795827 Demonstrations in Berlin in protest at the sending of troops to German South-West Africa (colour litho) by French School

Pioneers of Civilization, John Bull bringing peace and civilisation to the world, cover of La Caricature magazine
CHT206320 Pioneers of Civilization, John Bull bringing peace and civilisation to the world, cover of La Caricature magazine

The Red Cavalry of Abd El-Kader, c. 1840-45 (coloured engraving)
CHT179330 The Red Cavalry of Abd El-Kader, c.1840-45 (coloured engraving) by French School, (19th century); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris

QUEEN VICTORIA CARTOON. New Crowns For Old Ones! Cartoon, 1876, by John Tenniel on the unpopularity of Benjamin Disraelis measure for adding to the royal titles that of Empress of India

AFRICA: COLONIALISM, 1903. French cartoon, on intense rivalry between Spain, Germany, Britain and French Algeria for Morocco

PHILLIPINES CARTOON, 1898. What Will He Do With It? Having acquired the Philippines, Uncle Sam ponders how to deal with the country. American cartoon, 1898, by Charles Nelan

IMPERIALISM CARTOON, 1900. American newspaper cartoon against Indiana Senator Albert J. Beveridges imperialist views

Uncle Sam sinks into the quagmire of Philippine insurgency, personified by Emilio Aguinaldo, who resists being rescued
U.S. CARTOONS: PHILIPPINES. Uncle Sam sinks into the quagmire of Philippine insurgency, personified by Emilio Aguinaldo, who resists being rescued. Cartoon from an American newspaper of April 1899

Piece by Piece. American cartoon by D. R. Fitzpatrick, 1937, on Japans expansionism in Asia
JAPAN: IMPERIALISM, 1937. Piece by Piece. American cartoon by D.R. Fitzpatrick, 1937, on Japans expansionism in Asia, which began the second Sino-Japanese War

American cartoon by F. Victor Gillam, 1896, invoking the Monroe Doctrine against Great Britain
MONROE DOCTRINE, 1896. American cartoon by F. Victor Gillam, 1896, invoking the Monroe Doctrine against Great Britain and other European powers at the time of the Venezuelan Boundary dispute

William McKinley Cartoon
WILLIAM McKINLEY CARTOON. Well, I Hardly Know Which To Take First! American cartoon comment, c1900, on Uncle Sams seemingly insatiable imperialist appetite; waiting to take the order, at right

IMPERIALISM CARTOON, 1876. The Two Young Giants, Ivan and Jonathan, Reaching for Asia by Opposite Routes : American cartoon, 1876

OPEN DOOR CARTOON, c1900. American cartoon, c1900, depicting Uncle Sam propping the Open Door policy with China with the brick of U.S

BRITISH IMPERIALISM, 1882. Is it Christian to Thank God for Islam Slaughter?: American cartoon, 1882, showing the British royal family, led by Queen Victoria and the future King Edward VII (center)

AFRICA: COLONIALISM, 1904. France & Britain agree not to let Africa divide them by dividing Africa: French cartoon, 1904

Roosevelt Cartoon, C1901
ROOSEVELT CARTOON, c1901. A Spanish view of President Theodore Roosevelt as the rising sun of Yankee imperialism from Hojas Selectas, Barcelona, Spain, c1901

Roosevelt Cartoon, 1904
ROOSEVELT CARTOON, 1904. The Big Stick in the Caribbean Sea. President Theodore Roosevelt enforcing his concept of the Monroe Doctrine by having a U.S

ANTI-FRENCH CARTOON, 1798. Destruction of the French Collossus. The French Republic, caricatured as a bloodstained monster with the head of the guillotined King Louis XVI around its neck

PHILIPPIINES CARTOON, 1898 What Will He Do With it?: Having acquired the Philippines, Uncle Sam ponders how to deal with that country: American cartoon, 1898, by Charles Nelan

TUPAC AMARU II (1742-1781). Asssumed name of Jose Gabriel Condorcanqui. Peruvian revolutionist

INDIA: BRITISH RULE, 1858. The Accession of the Queen of India. Cartoon from Punch, 1858, on the transfer of Indian rule from the East India Company to the British Crown in the wake of the Sepoy

THEODORE ROOSEVELT: CUBA. Letter, 22 January 1907, from President Theodore Roosevelt to Secretary of War William Howard Taft, rejecting any plan to annex Cuba

QUEEN VICTORIA CARTOON. New Crowns For Old Ones! Cartoon, 1876, by John Tenniel on the unpopularity of Benjamin Disraelis measure for adding to the royal titles that of Empress of India

A Federalist candidate depicted as a pro-British devil and identified with the Hartford Convention of 1814
FEDERALIST CARTOON, 1816. A Federalist candidate depicted as a pro-British devil and identified with the Hartford Convention of 1814

ANTI-RUSSIAN MAP, 1877. Serio-Comic War Map for the Year 1877. Satirical map featuring the personified nations of Europe warily regarding an expansionist Russia, caricatured as a grasping octopus

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"Unmasking the Octopus: A Historical Perspective on Anti-Colonialism" Throughout history, the insidious grip of imperialism has been depicted and challenged in various forms. In an American cartoon from 1882 titled "The Devilfish in Egyptian Waters, " England is portrayed as John Bull, the octopus of imperialism, greedily seizing land across continents. This visual representation highlights the destructive nature of colonial expansion. Another powerful portrayal comes from a humorous diplomatic atlas dating back to 1904. The "Anti-Russian Map" satirically exposes Europe and Asia's political landscape, shedding light on the detrimental consequences of imperialistic ambitions. In this struggle against oppressive forces, figures like Mohandas Gandhi emerged as Hindu nationalist leaders and spiritual guides. Gandhi's unwavering commitment to non-violence became a symbol of resistance against British colonial rule in India during the early twentieth century. However, anti-colonial sentiments were not limited to India alone. An assassination targeting France's ally in Morocco serves as a stark reminder that resistance movements spanned across different regions affected by colonization. Protests erupted even within colonizing nations themselves; demonstrations rocked Berlin when troops were sent to German South-West Africa. These acts showcased growing dissent against imperialist policies among citizens who questioned their government's actions abroad. Cartoons often served as potent tools for social commentary during this era. One such illustration featured on La Caricature magazine's cover in November 1898 depicts John Bull bringing peace and civilization under his wing while claiming himself as a pioneer of progress—a thinly veiled satire exposing Britain's self-proclaimed mission civilisatrice. The influence of imperialism extended beyond European powers; it reached into North Africa with Abd El-Kader leading his Red Cavalry against foreign invaders around 1840-45—an act embodying resistance against encroaching empires seeking control over indigenous lands. Across the Atlantic Ocean, America grappled with its own imperialistic tendencies.