Political Cartoon Analysis

Political Cartoon Analysis STEP 1: Write a 1-2 sentence summary of the time period the cartoon references. Describe the major people, places, and/or conflicts. This cartoon was created in 1898 as a result of the Spanish American war. It was published in Judge Magazine. McKinley was President. The United States was growing in economic, political, and military power at the international level. The United States navy was the largest in the world. STEP 2: Complete the chart identifying and interpreting the cartoon. SEE What do I see? Ape/monkey American flag Dead soldiers Sword with blood Headstone “Maine soldiers” Jungle Belt that says “Spain” Title ‘The Spanish Brute” DO What techniques does the cartoonist use? Symbolism Captions/labels Exaggeration Color MEAN What does it symbolize? Why is it depicted that way? Ape/monkey – Spanish Dead soldiers – soldier of the Maine Jungle – site of war Colors – show emotional reaction American flag being crushed/attacked MATTER What is the cartoonist trying to say to the viewer? The cartoonist created an example of yellow journalism to incite an emotional reaction to the attack of the USS Maine. It exhibits the power of the newspapers during this time period to share information with readers in the United States. The demonizing view of the Spanish was used in order to gain support for entering a war to defend American honor and retaliate for the death of soldiers. STEP 3: Write a complete paragraph explaining the purpose and meaning of the political cartoon. Use the following to guide the structure of your paragraph. Topic Sentence (use historical summary statement) Evidence and Interpretation (analyze at least 2 elements of the cartoon) Concluding Sentence (what is the cartoonist trying to teach the viewer?) Example: This cartoon, originally published in Judge magazine, exhibits one emotional response to the sinking of the U.S.S. Maine during the Spanish American War. In 1898, the United States entered into a war with Spain, but it was fought in the Philippines and in Cuba where the United States proved the power of its navy. The image of the ape wielding a bloody sword in the center of the picture represents a demonizing view of the Spanish to show how monstrous it was to sink a United States ship. The vibrant blood dripping to the ground overwhelms the pale red of the United States flag being trampled on by “the Spanish Brute,” which tries to represent the Spanish as unnecessarily violent. As an example of yellow journalism, this cartoon is used to encourage Americans to support entering a war with the Spanish. The cartoonist’s message is very clear based on the title and central image of the monstrous character standing over the cemetery of dead American soldiers.