1. What does each "character" in the cartoon represent?
The main figure in the middle is Theodore Roosevelt. The bears represent big businesses and
two have either made "good trusts" or "bad trusts." Theodore has hunted and taken down the
bad trusts while he is restraining the good trusts. The cabin in the back is the white house.
2. Why is TR dressed that way?
TR is dressed as a hunter because he was hunting down on the bad trusts that companies had
established. He wants to be the one who regulates businesses for their immoral actions and is
restraining the good trusts so that they don't act like a "bad trust."
3. What is the purpose of the bears being labeled different things?
The bears are being labeled different things because he believed that not all businesses
were "bad trusts" and only wanted to regulate these specific businesses. The other bear shows
the businesses that were not stricken down by Roosevelt and in his eyes, were "good trusts."
4. What is the overall message of this cartoon?
The overall message of this cartoon is that TR wanted to show that the government is in charge
and not businesses. He did not want to punish the businesses that provided good services, only
the ones that were greedy and wanted more power. In punishing the bad trusts, the businesses
with good trusts were more cautious and feared government regulation. He did not punish all
businesses but the ones he punished sent a warning for all businesses.
BONUS What is up with the bears in the back?
The bear in the back is collecting up other bears, represented as other businesses. The bear
is a greedy business that wants to take over the small businesses and and drive them out of
business.
The main figure in the middle is Theodore Roosevelt. The bears represent big businesses and
two have either made "good trusts" or "bad trusts." Theodore has hunted and taken down the
bad trusts while he is restraining the good trusts. The cabin in the back is the white house.
2. Why is TR dressed that way?
TR is dressed as a hunter because he was hunting down on the bad trusts that companies had
established. He wants to be the one who regulates businesses for their immoral actions and is
restraining the good trusts so that they don't act like a "bad trust."
3. What is the purpose of the bears being labeled different things?
The bears are being labeled different things because he believed that not all businesses
were "bad trusts" and only wanted to regulate these specific businesses. The other bear shows
the businesses that were not stricken down by Roosevelt and in his eyes, were "good trusts."
4. What is the overall message of this cartoon?
The overall message of this cartoon is that TR wanted to show that the government is in charge
and not businesses. He did not want to punish the businesses that provided good services, only
the ones that were greedy and wanted more power. In punishing the bad trusts, the businesses
with good trusts were more cautious and feared government regulation. He did not punish all
businesses but the ones he punished sent a warning for all businesses.
BONUS What is up with the bears in the back?
The bear in the back is collecting up other bears, represented as other businesses. The bear
is a greedy business that wants to take over the small businesses and and drive them out of
business.