They say a picture is worth a thousand words. This is a very true statement for political cartoons. Beginning in 1754, when Benjamin Franklin’s Join or Die cartoon appeared in the newspaper, political cartoonists have long used
their skills to praise, attack, caricature, and otherwise express their opinions on the most urgent political issues of the day “Political cartoons in U.S. history.” These, sometimes very simple, appear to be something for children by appearing as goofy or funny images, but these images can contain a very powerful opinion. What do these drawings show or present to others? Can these drawings be misinterpreted? How people themselves interpret these images can come from their own political ideas, there understanding of current issues, and even their race or religious view can influence this process. Political cartoons can be used to view very complex problems in a simple way and used as a tool to show either a republican or democratic view on an issue. The political cartoons that seem to stand out in
history are ones that cause a lot of reaction, almost always negative.
history are ones that cause a lot of reaction, almost always negative.
What makes up political cartoons? How is
a political cartoon created and how is it defined? Dan Backer's explains in “A
Brief History of Cartoons” that it takes the bonding of several elements to
create a political cartoon. “Political cartoons are for the most part composed
of two elements: caricature, which parodies the individual, and allusion, which
creates the situation or context into which the individual is placed.” We see
this on a daily basis now with access to internet. We see paradise of people in
power, fame, or involved in politics doing or saying something to mock
themselves or others.
a political cartoon created and how is it defined? Dan Backer's explains in “A
Brief History of Cartoons” that it takes the bonding of several elements to
create a political cartoon. “Political cartoons are for the most part composed
of two elements: caricature, which parodies the individual, and allusion, which
creates the situation or context into which the individual is placed.” We see
this on a daily basis now with access to internet. We see paradise of people in
power, fame, or involved in politics doing or saying something to mock
themselves or others.
The history of political cartoons dates back far before our country and have had all
different kinds of effects on history. In the beginning of the seventeenth century,
these cartoons started appearing as street phenomenon often posted on walls or
passed from person to person, as well as being published in public newspapers.
One of the most famous during this time was Benjamin Franklin’s “Join or Die”
cartoon, which appeared in the Pennsylvania Gazette. This picture is acknowledged as the first political
cartoon in America and during that time, it was
published in almost every news paper in the country. This picture, a simple
drawing but with a powerful message, join together as one nation. The picture of
a snake, cute into eight pieces, with the initials of the thirteen colonies
above each, with New England representing four
colonies at this time. The original intention of this image was to help join the
colonies together for the French and Indian war, but it was later used as a
symbol during the American Revolution.
different kinds of effects on history. In the beginning of the seventeenth century,
these cartoons started appearing as street phenomenon often posted on walls or
passed from person to person, as well as being published in public newspapers.
One of the most famous during this time was Benjamin Franklin’s “Join or Die”
cartoon, which appeared in the Pennsylvania Gazette. This picture is acknowledged as the first political
cartoon in America and during that time, it was
published in almost every news paper in the country. This picture, a simple
drawing but with a powerful message, join together as one nation. The picture of
a snake, cute into eight pieces, with the initials of the thirteen colonies
above each, with New England representing four
colonies at this time. The original intention of this image was to help join the
colonies together for the French and Indian war, but it was later used as a
symbol during the American Revolution.
The evolution of the media and the
advances in technology have increased the information of politics, both opinion
and facts, and also political cartoons. The internet has become the newest
channel distributing political cartoons. As explained by Anne
McCallum in “The Evolution of Political Cartoons Through a Changing Media
Landscape” as the media changes, so does the way we receive the information:
Just as important to that ideology is
American political opinion construed through drawings. Political cartoons have
seen the scope of changing media in both content and delivery. They represent
vivid, imaginative insight into politics and popular opinion. Today's political
cartoons represent a fusion of pop culture and politics; and can be seen in a
mired of ways. The web has become a new outlet for political cartooning. News
and media today are certainly a far cry from the birth of quintessential
political cartoons.
The internet has allowed more and more
political cartoons to spread world wide in no time at all. Both armatures and
professionals can create countless images and have anyone see them and comment
on them. Because of this new ability to spread these images, does this increase
peoples awareness of political issues, or do they view these over simplification
of the issues and take them as fact. Both these answers can be correct.
advances in technology have increased the information of politics, both opinion
and facts, and also political cartoons. The internet has become the newest
channel distributing political cartoons. As explained by Anne
McCallum in “The Evolution of Political Cartoons Through a Changing Media
Landscape” as the media changes, so does the way we receive the information:
Just as important to that ideology is
American political opinion construed through drawings. Political cartoons have
seen the scope of changing media in both content and delivery. They represent
vivid, imaginative insight into politics and popular opinion. Today's political
cartoons represent a fusion of pop culture and politics; and can be seen in a
mired of ways. The web has become a new outlet for political cartooning. News
and media today are certainly a far cry from the birth of quintessential
political cartoons.
The internet has allowed more and more
political cartoons to spread world wide in no time at all. Both armatures and
professionals can create countless images and have anyone see them and comment
on them. Because of this new ability to spread these images, does this increase
peoples awareness of political issues, or do they view these over simplification
of the issues and take them as fact. Both these answers can be correct.