Name: _____________________________________
Purpose: To explore political cartoons with an emphasis on historical facts and symbolism.
Directions: Step 1: Working by yourself, look at the six symbols. Write what you think they
represent on the line to the side.
Step 2: Working with your group, analyze the cartoon you are assigned.
Step 3: Share the message with Ms. Collins. She will write it so all groups can see.
Step 4: Choose two presenters to teach the class about your cartoon.
Step 5: Write the message that the other groups found.
Step 6: Share your cartoon and learn about the other cartoons.
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Images:
What do you notice in the cartoon?
“What a funny little government.”
Which of the objects or characters in the cartoon are
symbols?
Symbolism:
What do you think each symbol means?
Words (not all cartoons contain words):
Which words or phrases in the cartoon appear to be the
most significant?
Why do you think so?
Actions:
Describe the actions taking place in the cartoon:
Message:
Explain the message of the cartoon. Be prepared to explain your conclusion.
1
Images:
What do you notice in the cartoon?
Which of the objects or characters in the cartoon are
symbols?
Symbolism:
What do you think each symbol means?
Words (not all cartoons contain words):
Which words or phrases in the cartoon appear to be the
most significant?
Why do you think so?
Actions:
Describe the actions taking place in the cartoon:
Message:
Explain the message of the cartoon. Be prepared to explain your conclusion.
2
Images:
What do you notice in the cartoon?
Which of the objects or characters in the cartoon are
symbols?
Symbolism:
What do you think each symbol means?
Words (not all cartoons contain words):
Which words or phrases in the cartoon appear to be the
most significant?
Why do you think so?
Actions:
Describe the actions taking place in the cartoon:
Message:
Explain the message of the cartoon. Be prepared to explain your conclusion.
3
Images:
What do you notice in the cartoon?
Which of the objects or characters in the cartoon are
symbols?
Symbolism:
What do you think each symbol means?
Words (not all cartoons contain words):
Which words or phrases in the cartoon appear to be the
most significant?
Why do you think so?
Actions:
Describe the actions taking place in the cartoon:
Message:
Explain the message of the cartoon. Be prepared to explain your conclusion.
4
Images:
What do you notice in the cartoon?
Which of the objects or characters in the cartoon are
symbols?
Symbolism:
What do you think each symbol means?
Words (not all cartoons contain words):
Which words or phrases in the cartoon appear to be the
most significant?
Why do you think so?
Actions:
Describe the actions taking place in the cartoon:
Message:
Explain the message of the cartoon. Be prepared to explain your conclusion.
5
Images:
What do you notice in the cartoon?
Which of the objects or characters in the cartoon are
symbols?
Symbolism:
What do you think each symbol means?
Words (not all cartoons contain words):
Which words or phrases in the cartoon appear to be the
most significant?
Why do you think so?
Actions:
Describe the actions taking place in the cartoon:
Message:
Explain the message of the cartoon. Be prepared to explain your conclusion.
6
Sources for cartoons:
Page:
0. Joy Hakim’s A History of US lesson plans from Johns Hopkins University
1. What a funny little government: the trust giant’s point of view,” by Horace Taylor, from
http://history.osu.edu/projects/uscartoons/verdict/ht/22Jan1900.htm
2. “The bosses of the Senate,” by Joseph Keppler, from
http://www.npr.org/news/specials/democracy/money/bosses.html
3. http://staff.imsa.edu/socsci/jvictory/help_05_06/exemplary_papers05/luo_1_6/wilson.htm
4. “Two great questions,” by Thomas Nast, from
http://www.harpweek.com/09Cartoon/BrowseByDateCartoon.asp?Month=August&Date=19
5. “Uncle Sam: ‘If I could only keep my left hand from knowing what my right hand is doing’.” By Nina Allender, from
http://www.sewallbelmont.org/allender/pages/SB000734.html
6. “Child labor may be cheap enough for you,” by Ryan Walker, from
http://www.boondocksnet.com/gallery/cl070100c.html
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