Political CartoonsPolitical CartoonsPolitical CartoonsPolitical Cartoons

Political CartoonsPolitical Cartoons

Primary Sources

Illustrations

Contain commentary that relates to current events or people

Usually appear in newspaper or magazines

Usually use sarcasm, irony, humor in order to question authority or draw attention to corruption or other social problems

Primary Sources

Illustrations

Contain commentary that relates to current events or people

Usually appear in newspaper or magazines

Usually use sarcasm, irony, humor in order to question authority or draw attention to corruption or other social problems

ElementsElements

Visual symbols and metaphors

Easily recognizable symbols that the average reader will understand

Republicans: elephant; Democrats: donkey

USA: Uncle Sam, American flag, Statue of Liberty; Britain: John Bull

Visual symbols and metaphors

Easily recognizable symbols that the average reader will understand

Republicans: elephant; Democrats: donkey

USA: Uncle Sam, American flag, Statue of Liberty; Britain: John Bull

Death: skull, cross bones, grim reaper, vulture

Peace: dove, olive branch, victory sign, banners

Money: dollar or cent sign, money bags, bank, dollar bills

Government: Constitution, Bill of Rights, White House, Capitol Building

Death: skull, cross bones, grim reaper, vulture

Peace: dove, olive branch, victory sign, banners

Money: dollar or cent sign, money bags, bank, dollar bills

Government: Constitution, Bill of Rights, White House, Capitol Building

SymbolsSymbolsSymbolsSymbolsColombia and Uncle SamColombia and Uncle Sam

SymbolsSymbolsSymbolsSymbolsJohn Bull (UK)John Bull (UK)

SymbolsSymbolsSymbolsSymbolsDemocrats and RepublicansDemocrats and Republicans

ElementsElements

Visual Distortion

Creating objects or gestures in shapes or motions that are not “normal” to suggest some sort of emotion or meaning

Visual Distortion

Creating objects or gestures in shapes or motions that are not “normal” to suggest some sort of emotion or meaning

ElementsElements

Irony in words or images

A form of humor where what you say is not what you really mean.

Often used to mock a situation.

Irony in words or images

A form of humor where what you say is not what you really mean.

Often used to mock a situation.

ElementsElements

Stereotypes & Caricatures

Either simplifying (stereotype) or exaggerating (caricature) features or characteristics

Often insulting

Reveal broad cultural attitudes

Stereotypes & Caricatures

Either simplifying (stereotype) or exaggerating (caricature) features or characteristics

Often insulting

Reveal broad cultural attitudes

ElementsElements

An argument (not slogan)

The cartoon is attempting to “make a case” or “prove a point”

It wants to sway your opinion in some way and presents reasons for why you should do so.

An argument (not slogan)

The cartoon is attempting to “make a case” or “prove a point”

It wants to sway your opinion in some way and presents reasons for why you should do so.

ElementsElements

Uses and misuses of political cartoons

Goal is to provoke thought in the reader by being funny, humorous, stimulating, or even insulting.

What they DO show is cultural assumptions by some, prevailing moods, and insights to trends and events.

BUT, they should by no means be thought of as how “everyone” thought. They are one man’s biased interpretation.

They should NOT be assumed to be thought of as “the way things were.”

Uses and misuses of political cartoons

Goal is to provoke thought in the reader by being funny, humorous, stimulating, or even insulting.

What they DO show is cultural assumptions by some, prevailing moods, and insights to trends and events.

BUT, they should by no means be thought of as how “everyone” thought. They are one man’s biased interpretation.

They should NOT be assumed to be thought of as “the way things were.”

What system is this?

11

22

What Policy is portrayed?

33

44

Equal SuffrageEqual Suffrage

Equal SuffrageEqual Suffrage

The WestThe West

55

“Who stole the people’s money?”Do tell. N.Y. Times.

‘Twas Him

“Who stole the people’s money?”Do tell. N.Y. Times.

‘Twas Him