Answer:
"The Protectors of Our Industries" is a political cartoon created by the American cartoonist Bernhard Gillam in 1883. The cartoon was published in Puck magazine and aimed to criticize the protective tariffs that were in place in the United States during that time.
The cartoon depicts a group of large, imposing men standing guard in front of a factory labeled "Our Home Industries." The men are labeled with various titles, such as "Trusts," "Combinations," "Pools," and "Monopolies." The men are armed with weapons, including a sword, a club, and a pitchfork, and are positioned to prevent foreign competition from entering the factory.
In the background of the cartoon, a group of foreign workers is seen carrying goods to the factory, but they are stopped by the protectors. The workers are depicted as small and weak, with one of them carrying a sign that reads "Free Trade."
The cartoon is a criticism of the protective tariffs that were enacted in the United States during the late 19th century. These tariffs were designed to protect American industries from foreign competition by imposing taxes on imported goods. However, the cartoon suggests that these tariffs were not benefiting the average American worker, but instead were benefiting powerful monopolies and trusts who were using the tariffs to stifle competition and drive up prices.
"The Protectors of Our Industries" is a powerful commentary on the role of protective tariffs in the American economy and the ways in which they can be used to benefit powerful interests at the expense of ordinary workers.