Document B: Herb Block Cartoon, “You read books, eh?”
Headnote: During the Cold War, the U.S government not only fought expansion of Communist
control overseas, officials also reinvigorated efforts to battle Communist threats that they claimed
existed within the United States. Local and state governments participated enthusiastically in these
efforts with anti- subversive laws and programs. In this political cartoon, famed cartoonist Herb
Block used his pen to criticize the targeting of schoolteachers in these efforts. Many American
teachers were required to sign loyalty oaths and investigated by local and state governments.
Hundreds lost their jobs.
Source: Herb Block, Washington Post, April 24, 1949.
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Reading Questions:
1. When was this political cartoon published? Was this before, during, or after
Senator Joseph McCarthy became famous for red-baiting?
2. What does this tell you about McCarthy’s responsibility for the post WWII
climate that we know as “McCarthyism”?
3. In the cartoon:
a. Who are the men?
b. Who is the woman?
c. What is going on in the scene depicted by the cartoon?
4. Identify two symbols and what they stand for.
5. What message is the cartoonist sending?
6. Does the cartoon support or contest the following statement: “McCarthy was
responsible for anti-Communist zeal after WWII.” Explain your answer.
http://teachinghistory.org/teaching-materials/teaching-guides/24314
TEACHINGHISTORY.ORG is funded by the U.S. Department of Education (ED-07-CO-0088).