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How to Analyze Political Cartoons. AP U.S. History Mrs. Koontz. The beginning of political cartoons. The history of the political cartoon The history of American political cartoons American Political Prints (from Harper’s Weekly). What is a political cartoon? .
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How to Analyze Political Cartoons AP U.S. History Mrs. Koontz
The beginning of political cartoons The history of the political cartoon The history of American political cartoons American Political Prints (from Harper’s Weekly)
What is a political cartoon? • Requirements for a successful political cartoon • Humor that is used to send a message about the character portrayed in the cartoon • There must be some basis of truth involved in the cartoon • The cartoon must have a purpose or lesson to teach the viewer
Sample 1: Clay and Jackson cartoon • This 1834 lithograph by David Claypool Johnson shows Kentucky senator Henry Clay sewing President Andrew Jackson's mouth shut. Jackson's fight to destroy the Bank of the United States and his removal of the Treasury secretary led to the Senate's censure of Jackson for abuse of presidential power. Jackson argued that the president, as the only representative of all the people, should rule supreme. Congress did not agree. • At the heart of the debate (led by Clay, among others) was the struggle between the executive branch and the legislature over which branch should dominate the government. That struggle continues today, whichever political party is in office. Courtesy of Library of Congress
Sample 2: “Little Jimmy” v. George III • The artist gloats over naval losses suffered by England early in the War of 1812, in particular the defeat of the warship "Boxer" by the American frigate "Enterprise" in September 1813. King George III stands at left, his nose bleeding and eye blackened, saying, "Stop...Brother Jonathan, or I shall fall with the loss of blood -- I thought to have been too heavy for you -- But I must acknowledge your superior skill -- Two blows to my one! -- And so well directed too! Mercy, mercy on me, how does this happen!!!" • On the right, his opponent James Madison says, "Ha-Ah Johnny! you thought yourself a "Boxer" did you! -- I'll let you know we are an "Enterprize"ing Nation. and ready to meet you with equal force any day." In the background, on the ocean, two ships are engaged in battle.
Audio analysis of segregation political cartoons • Political cartoons with audio clips
The Assignment • Create a political cartoon that exemplifies an event or influential figure from 1800 to 1840 (Ch. 11-13) Follow the guideline listed below for a successful political cartoon…. • Requirements for a successful political cartoon • Humor that is used to send a message about the character portrayed in the cartoon • There must be some basis of truth involved in the cartoon • The cartoon must have a purpose or lesson to teach the viewer • You will bring your cartoon on Monday 10/9 to be used with your in-class writing assignment. The cartoon will be worth 20 points of the 40 points of your essay.