What’s So Funny? Using Cartoons as Primary Sources

Why Use Cartoons Information about historical events Attitudes of society at the time Good example of multiple perspectives Remember, a cartoonist is expressing an opinion not fact

Where to Find Cartoons Newspapers Archival collections Collected works Editorial pages Archival collections “CA” at OHS Collected works Artist or topic specific Internet sites See CD tutorial

Tools Used By Cartoonist Exaggeration Allusion Analogy Symbolism Caricature Stereotype Humor Personification

Interpreting Cartoons Historical background Secondary sources Date Examine the publication Use visual clues Issue Read surrounding editorials and articles Labels, Symbols and Stereotypes Secondary sources and surrounding editorials and articles Artist Sometimes cartoons can be difficult to interpret because they contain people or events that we may not know about. This slides lists ways to do some research on historic cartoons.

Interpreting Cartoons What about this cartoon? 1972 Olympic Games, Munich

Thomas Nast (1840-1902) Popularized the elephant and donkey as representations of Republican and Democratic parties Originated “popular” image of Santa Claus Began a position at Harper’s Weekly in summer of 1862 Decline in popularity and skill in the mid-1870s Considered the “Father of American Caricature”

Primary Source Activity Look at your Thomas Nast cartoon Complete the activity Share with the group What did you notice about your cartoon compared to the other cartoons? Nast’s cartoons began to take a political turn during the Civil War focusing on race and equality in America. Nast’s illustrations spoke to the citizens, and it was said that his Reconstruction cartoons did more for the reputation of political cartoons than any other person’s. However, as Reconstruction waned on Nast’s depictions of African Americans, which were suprisingly realistic, became less sympathetic, and he started using stereotypical images of African Americans and lazy with big lips and a dopey expressions. This may represent his growing disallusion with Reconstruction.

Now it’s YOUR turn! Create your own cartoon about the Civil War or Reconstruction Who are the players? What position are you supporting? Be creative Draw the opposite of your opinion Experiment with symbols Are you drawing as a contemporary or in retrospect? Share with the group

Example If I pick Ohio and Underground Railroad as my topic, my cartoon may look like this