12. In Cartoon 2, the two-faced figure attempts to convince American laborers to support tariffs by appealing to their
Answer: A
The two-faced figure attempts to convince American laborers to support tariffs by appealing to their fear that foreign workers would work for lower wages.
The cartoon depicts a two-faced figure that symbolizes manipulation, aiming to evoke fear among American laborers regarding competition from foreign workers who might accept lower wages. This fear is a common tactic used to garner support for tariffs, as it directly relates to job security and wage preservation for American workers.
A) fear that foreign workers would work for lower wages.
This option accurately reflects the primary concern that the cartoon is addressing. The depiction of the two-faced figure suggests that it is leveraging the fear of wage competition from foreign laborers, which is a central theme in discussions about tariffs and their impact on American jobs.
B) desire to prove that American-made products were superior to products made by foreign workers.
While this option touches on a potential rationale for supporting tariffs, it does not align with the emotional appeal depicted in the cartoon. The focus is not on proving superiority but rather on instilling fear regarding job security, making this choice less relevant.
C) fear that foreign workers would bring radical political ideas.
Although concerns about radical political ideas could influence labor sentiments, this option does not directly connect to the primary theme of wage competition portrayed in the cartoon. The two-faced figure's manipulation is more focused on economic fears rather than political ideologies, rendering this option incorrect.
D) desire to share the American standard of living with foreign workers.
This option contradicts the fundamental premise of the cartoon. The two-faced figure is not advocating for sharing or cooperation with foreign workers; rather, it exploits fears to rally support for tariffs. Therefore, this choice does not accurately represent the message being conveyed.
Conclusion
The correct answer is A, as it directly addresses the fear of wage competition that the cartoon seeks to exploit among American laborers. All other options fail to capture the primary emotional appeal illustrated, focusing instead on themes that are either irrelevant or secondary to the central issue of job security and economic protectionism.