U. S. History
1.
What is this called?
2.
Where would you find one
published?
3.
What symbol(s) do you see in it?
4.
What is the meaning of it?
By the mid-19th Century (1800s), major
newspapers in many countries featured
cartoons designed to express the
newspaper publisher’s opinion on the
politics of the day. Political cartoons can
usually be found on the editorial
(opinions) page of many newspapers.
Examples: Tampa Tribune,
Tampa Bay Times
Students Will: Analyze how images,
symbols, cartoons, graphs, charts, maps, and
artwork may be used to interpret the
significance of time periods and events from
the past. (SS 912-A-1)
Use research and inquiry skills to analyze
U.S. History using primary and secondary
sources.
The purpose of political cartoons is to make
people think about current events and issues
concerning politics and government.
 Help provide additional viewpoints
 Assume the audience has enough
knowledge about the issues to understand
the message
 Emphasize one side of the issue or concern
 Rely on humor, irony, or sarcasm
 Depend on drawings to make a point
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Raising the Flag on the
Island of Iwo Jima – statue
made from a famous
photograph of the U.S.
Marines raising the flag
during the WWII battle
Political Cartoon - in the
aftermath of 9/11, firstresponders found and
raised American flag over
“Ground Zero” site of
Twin Towers
I. Symbolism
Cartoonists used
simple objects, or
symbols, to stand for
an idea
II. Exaggeration or
Caricature
Sometimes cartoonists
overdo, magnify, or
exaggerate, the
physical
characteristics of
people or things in
order to make a point
III. Captions and
Labels
Cartoonists often
label or put captions
on objects to make it
clear exactly what
they stand for
IV. Analogy
An analogy is a
comparison between
two unlike things. By
comparing a complex
issue or situation with
a more familiar one,
cartoonists can help
their readers see it in
a different light.
V. Irony
Irony is the difference
between the way things
are and the way things
should be, or the way
things are expected to
be. Cartoonists often
use irony to express
their opinion on an
issue. What is said or
shown has a “twist.”
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What issue is this political cartoon about?
What do you think is the cartoonist’s opinion
on this issue?
What other opinion can you imagine another
person having on this issue?
Did you find this cartoon persuasive? Why
or why not?
What other technique could the cartoonist
have used to make this cartoon more
persuasive?
Symbol
Meaning
Uncle Sam,
Bald Eagle,
American Flag
U. S.
Government
Statue of Liberty, Freedom and
Liberty Torch,
Democracy
Liberty Bell
Donkey
Democratic
Party
Example
Symbol
Meaning
Elephant
Republican
Party
Capitol Building Congress
Dome
White House
President
Example
Symbol
Meaning
Scales,
Lady Justice
Justice and
Court System
Uncle Sam
American People
and the United
States
Dove,
Olive Branch
Peace
Example
The following slide are two views of
immigration drawn by the same
cartoonist, but during different time
periods.
The cartoon at the top was drawn in the
early 1880s, and the bottom cartoon was
drawn in the 1890s
1880s –
“Welcome to All”
1890s –
“Looking Backward”
In the top cartoon – “Welcome to All” –
1. What are the five (5) benefits that
immigrants might receive in
America?
2. What is Uncle Sam doing atop the
plank?
3. What attitude about immigration
does this cartoon present?
In the bottom cartoon – “Looking
Backward”
1. What are the men doing on the dock?
2. Why are they doing this?
3. What do the shadows represent?
4. What attitude about immigration
does the cartoonist now present?
Gilded Age
Imperialism
Progressive Movement
Imperialism
Great
Depression
Progressive
Movement
What event do these
two political cartoons
represent?
What symbols are
found in these
political cartoons?
More 9/11 Political Cartoons