US History Political Cartoons and Historical

Maps

Reading Political Cartoons and Maps

• Always, always, always study the entire picture

• Look for dates, keywords, or legends…anything that helps identify the time period or purpose of the picture or map

• After looking at the picture/ map, think about: “How do you feel?”• Then read the answer and see what best fits your feeling• If there are two or more answers that are similar, double-check the details

of the picture/ map to make sure you didn’t miss anything

• Look at the style of the picture; is it older, newer? Does the language sound old when you say it out loud, or like how we talk now?

• Use the keywords and/ or dates to think about what you already know or have learned…don’t get frustrated, trust your gut

Cartoons: Early Cartoons 1700’s

First political cartoon drawn by Benjamin Franklin…The cartoon appeared along with Franklin's editorial about the "disunited state" of the colonies, and helped make his point about the importance of colonial unity. At the time, George Washington had just been taken hostage at Fort Duquense and Franklin believed that if the colonies did not band together against the French that all would be lost. *NE stands for New England

“O Grab Me, ” the infamous phrase that captures the feelings of America following the Embargo Act of 1807 under Jefferson. It paused trade with Britain and France, and caused problems with the American economy, especially industry, shipbuilding, and trading (industry overall)

Political Cartoons: 1800s

This picture could apply to either times the Great Awakening occurred (1700s and 1800s). The main idea about the Great Awakening was the drama behind the sermon. Revivals, dramatic speeches about sinners and hell.

This picture refers to Reconstruction. We know that the KKK and lynchings did not become prominent until after Reconstruction (after Ruther B, Hayes withdrew US troops in 1877, which left newly freed blacks without protection of newly gained rights)

Political Cartoons: Early 1900’s

This picture refers to suffrage (women’s right to vote). Not only does the word appear on the sash of some of the women, but the steamroller indicates the time period (late 1800s/ early 1900s). Pay attention to little details like this. This cant be women’s rights movement in the 60’s because of the way the women look.

Roosevelt’s Big Stick Policy…Why? Because there is clearly a big stick in the picture! (lol). Look for the obvious and then the details. Other clues like the Caribbean, no shoes on his feet

Maps: Most Significant

British territory gained after the French and Indian War

United States (after the Revolution) and the territorial gains and expansions. Oregon Territory (after Lewis and Clark, and Lousiana Purchase). New Spain = annexations that occurred between 1830 and 1863.

Westward expansion

Lewis and Clark Expedition. Look at the fact that there is a thick black line that looks like a trail…that’s because it is the path Lewis and Clark ventured while exploring America’s new territory

Mexican American Map that also shows territories annexed by US

Spanish American War Maps

US blockade around Cuba

Us Presence in Pacific that led to US removal of Spanish in the Phillipines

Cold War: Iron Curtain in Europe Separating West (democracy) from East (Communism)

There are three (3) things present in this map:

1. Blue (towards GB and FR, also known as Western Europe)

2. Red (towards Russia and Eastern Europe)

3. A thick white line dividing the two

Clearly, this is a map illustrating the Cold War and the division between the democratic West and the Communist East

*A hint would have been that there is an East Germany and a West Germany present on this map