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.
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