Interpreting a Cold War Cartoon

1. Interpreting a Cold War Cartoon Stalin ‘the Bird Watcher’ using the ‘slow reveal’ technique Cartoon reproduced with permission of Punch Ltd., www.punch.co.uk

2. This shows ………. I think it might be trying to show

3. Now, I think that it is showing….

4. Now I can tell that it is clearly showing

6. When do you think the cartoon would have been produced? • January 1948 • July 1948 • January 1949 • May 1949 • Give reasons for your choice • Let’s see if we were right?

7. Birds are storks showing rebirth Big birds carrying coal and food Gun is pointed away suggesting threat, but not actual use Helping East Berlin in Russian sector where life was harsher Carrying a gun Birds are helping this poor part In Berlin Probably during Berlin Airlift summer 48 Called the Bird Watcher Suggesting keeping close eye on events Stalin

8. Who would have produced it?

9. What is its real meaning? • How well do these students answer the question: What event does the cartoon relate to and how does it show Stalin?

10. Answer 1 This cartoon is about the Berlin Airlift. It shows Stalin getting angry about the Americans sending food in. He is going to shoot them. The people of Berlin were starving and the Americans said they would help but Russia said it was nothing to do with them and it took months to get it sorted out. Stalin was not happy but couldn't do anything about it.

11. Answer 2 • The Cartoon is showing the Berlin Airlift. The birds are meant to be the American planes who flew in thousands of tons of food and supplies from April 1948 until May 1949. It shows Stalin is on the look–out but he is not shooting the birds as he seems to be holding the gun down. During the Airlift Stalin made threats that he would attack American planes that went over East German airspace. Eventually Stalin gave up with the blockade of Berlin. The relations between Stalin and Truman were made a lot worse by this event.

12. Answer 3 • This cartoon is about the Berlin airlift from April 1948 until May 1949 when the Russians, under the leadership of Joseph Stalin attempted to blockade supplies to West Berlin. Stalin was angry about the way that the Americans, French and British had introduced a new currency in the rest of Germany. He believed this was against the agreement that the four nations had reached. As Berlin was situated in the middle of East Germany Stalin could control the road and rail networks. If he could starve Berlin he thought this would force the USA into negotiations. Stalin threatened to shoot down these planes shown here as big birds like herons, but he was not actually willing to go this far. This is shown by the fact that the gun is pointing away. • The cartoon is probably a western cartoon as it shows Stalin trying to prevent supplies reaching that part of Berlin which clearly needs help. The airlift ended in defeat for Stalin and led to the creation of two Germanies and soon after, the formation of NATO.