History Skills - Examining Political Cartoons
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Political cartoons are one way of
expressing an opinion about a topic.
They can be used to poke fun at
politics/politicians, issues or events, and
often attempt to put the subject into
perspective.
Like Propaganda, sometimes they are
used to try to convince people to believe
something.
Unlike Propaganda, a Political Cartoon is
not attempting to tell you what the
government thinks, but rather what the
cartoonist feels.
They can be used during times of peace
and also during times of war.
Today, they are still used in newspapers
and in other forms of media.
As a primary source, Political Cartoons
can provide a valuable glimpse into the
past and we can use them to see how
people of different era’s thought about
the politics or issues of their time.
Who are each of the characters supposed to
represent? When was the cartoon drawn? Is the
cartoon making specific reference to a particular
event? What techniques are being utilized to
convey the message of the cartoonist?
TIPS FOR READING POLITICAL CARTOONS
When “reading” or analyzing a political cartoon, try this
three-step approach:
1. Think about what you already know about the issue
shown in the cartoon. This background knowledge
can help you make sense of the cartoon’s message.
2. Examine and interpret the symbols the cartoonist
used.
3. Connect all the pieces (Symbols, Words, Artwork,
etc., and draw conclusions about the cartoonists
message.
Persuasive Techniques Commonly Used by
Political Cartoonists
Reading a political cartoon is not the same as reading a comic in the funny pages. There are
certain techniques that a cartoonist uses to get their point across. In order to understand what the
cartoon is saying, you need to be able to decode these techniques:
BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE – the cartoonist assumes that the reader
already has an understanding of the issue being portrayed. If you don’t
know something about the issue, the cartoon will be very difficult to
understand.
CARICATURE – The cartoonist will exaggerate the features of wellknown people so they can be easily identified. The purpose is to make
the subject easily identifiable and make him/her look silly or foolish.
SYMBOLS – Are used to capture an idea or trait. For example, a skull
might represent death, a maple leaf or beaver might represent Canada,
and “Uncle Sam” will represent the United States.
STEREOTYPING – Involves using oversimplified images, or
“stereotypes” to represent character types or situations.
CAPTIONS/LABELS – Political Cartoons will almost always have a
caption at the top or bottom that will let you know what the cartoon is
about. They will also often label people you might not obviously know
to make their point clearer.
IRONY - is the difference between the ways things are and the way
things should be, or the way things are expected to be. Cartoonists
often use irony to express their opinion on an issue.
ANALOGY - is a comparison between two unlike things that share some
characteristics. By comparing a complex issue or situation with a more
familiar one, cartoonists can help their readers see it in a different light.
When you look at a political cartoon, you should always consider the BIASES of the cartoonist.
The cartoonist, after all, is trying to make a point! When and where was the cartoon published,
and in what type of publication? Who is being portrayed in a favourable manner and who is not?
In order to understand the cartoon, you have to connect all the pieces (symbols, words, artwork).
The cartoon won’t always be “funny”, sometimes it might be mean-spirited. The point of the
cartoon is tell you what the cartoonist thinks about the issue being depicted.
Practising Identifying Some Techniques Used in Political Cartoons
Caricature
Caricature involves exaggerating certain features of well-known people who can be easily
identifiable.
Compare the photograph of U.S. President Donald Trump with the caricature created by the
political cartoonist. Than read each of the questions and circle the most correct answer.
1. The caricature suggests that the cartoonists thinks that President Trump is:
a. A foolish, unintelligent person.
b. A brilliant, handsome politician.
c. Worried about the American voter.
2. The cartoonist is telling his audience that President Trump is:
a. An attractive, fit person.
b. A president whose supporters are uneducated and ignorant.
c. A rational, sane human being.
3. What exaggerated features did the cartoonist focus on to make his caricature of Trump
easily identifiable?
a. His smile.
b. His hair.
c. His tie.
Symbolism
Cartoonists use simple objects, or symbols, to stand for larger concepts or ideas.
In this cartoon, the tattered and torn Maple Leaf is
being used to symbolize Canada.
1. By Showing a tattered maple leaf, the cartoonist is
trying to suggest that:
a. Canada is a strong and united country.
b. Canada needs trees to survive.
c. Canadian unity is in trouble.
2. The bandage on the maple leaf is the cartoonist’s
way of saying that:
a. Efforts to keep Canada together are short
term and have not solved the real problems.
b. Doctors and nurses are the only ones who
can save Canada.
c. People are working hard to keep Canada
together.
Stereotyping
Stereotypes may represent ideas, nations, or groups of people. In addition to racial and
ethnic characteristics, indicators of economic status such as clothing may be used in
stereotypes. Without easily interpreted stereotypes, cartoons would require paragraphs of
text and much more detailed drawings to transmit information.
1. What religious group is
the cartoon attacking?
a. Christians.
b. Jews.
c. Muslims.
2. What is the cartoon
suggesting about this
group?
a. That they are loving
families.
b. That they are
handsome.
c. That they are
terrorists.
Irony
Irony is the difference between the ways things are and the way things should be, or the way
things are expected to be. Cartoonists often use irony to express their opinion on an issue.
This cartoon is commenting on the controversy surrounding context and the meaning of symbols
and signs that traditionally have been associated with racism and oppression.
1.
What flag is the individual in the
cartoon referring to?
a. The Canadian Maple Leaf
b. The Stars and Stripes.
c. The Confederate Flag.
2.
When the other individual in the
cartoon states “So did mine…,” what is he
referencing?
a.
His ancestors fought in WWI.
b.
That black people were enslaved.
c.
That men fought in the American War
of Independence.
Captions/Labelling
Cartoonists often label objects or people to make it clear exactly what they stand for.
This cartoon is commenting on the
unfavourable conditions Germany
was subject too after WWI during the
Versailles Peace Conference.
1. Who is the man that is being
forced to swallow the pill?
a. Germany.
b. France.
c. The United States.
2. The fingers on the hand are
labelled with names of
countries?
a. The countries who
suffered the most losses
during WWI.
b. The other countries who signed the Versailles Treaty.
c. The countries who were German allies during the war.
Analogy
An analogy is a comparison between two unlike things that share some characteristics. By
comparing a complex issue or situation with a more familiar one, cartoonists can help their
readers see it in a different light.
The following cartoon is commenting on the Cuban Missile Crisis, an event that occurred during
the Cold War in the 1960s that almost brought the world to the brink of WWIII. Pictured are two
individuals locked in an arm wrestling match to represent the conflict between the two
superpowers. Do some research and get some background information to the political cartoon.
1. Who are the two people depicted in the cartoon?
a. Canadian Prime Minister John Diefenbaker and U.S. President Barack Obama
b. Soviet Premier Nikita Kruschev and U.S. President John F. Kennedy
c. Cuban President Fidel Castro and Argentinian Freedom Fighter Che Guevarra
2. What two countries are at odds?
a. Cuba vs The U.S.
b. Canada vs Russia
c. The Soviet Union vs The U.S.
3. Instead of chairs, what are the two leaders sitting on?
a. Space ships.
b. Hydrogen Bombs.
c. Nuclear Submarines.