Political Cartoons
What are they and how do we analyze them?
Standards
15A—identify and give examples of different points of view that influence
the development of public policies and decision-making processes on local,
state, national, and international levels.
16C—explain ways various groups of people perceive the characteristics of
their own and other cultures, places, and regions differently.
Objective
Analyze political cartoons from the Cold War about the Soviet Union to
identify different points of view and understand its key political, economic
and cultural characteristics.
Key vocabulary
• Symbol - something used to represent something else (often an object used to
represent a thought, feeling, or emotion).
• Metaphor – a figure of speech in which one thing is used to represent something
else; more complex symbolism, often verbal.
• Irony – when words or an object is used to convey a meaning that is the opposite
of its literal meaning (can also include sarcasm).
• Stereotype – a simplified concept based on generalizations; often are derogatory
or hurtful.
• Caricature - a picture, description, etc., ludicrously exaggerating the peculiarities
or defects of persons or things
Visual Distortion
Common References
• There are some common symbols used around the world to represent
certain things. Some examples are the images of Uncle Sam or
hamburgers to represent the United States.
Let’s analyze a cartoon together…
Now analyze one by yourself…
“You Can Make It!”
Here are some more modern examples of
political cartoons…