Modern Day Imperialism

An example of modern day imperialism that is similar to the American imperialism of the late 1800s, would be the dispute over the territory of South Ossetia in 2008, between the countries of Georgia and Russia. During the 1920s, Russia obtained Georgia and the northern region of Georgia called South Ossetia. However, after the collapse of the USSR in 1991, Georgia became an independent nation and free from Russian influence. Nevertheless, in 2008, citizens of South Ossetia rebelled for their own independence from Georgia and to regain the original territory acquired by Russia. Georgian troops launched a major military offensive against Russia, but Russia responded by sending in troops to forcibly take the territory and make it part of its own as it once was. As a result, 1,400 people were killed, and the territory now belongs to the country of Russia. 

The Spanish Brute

This political cartoon depicts a fanged ape represented as a Spaniard, standing over the grave of the U.S. soldiers murdered by Spain. This cartoon was released after the sinking of the U.S.S Maine battleship which exploded in Havana Harbor. Although the most practical reason for the accident was improperly stored gunpowder, Americans quickly blamed the misfortune on Spain as an excuse to go to war. The picture depicts an ape which symbolizes that the Spaniards were inhumane and incompetent. The ape is holding a knife that is dripping with U.S. soldiers' blood, and it is stepping on an American flag which indicates that the Spaniards disrespect our country.