What is the purpose of a cartoon history?

Editorial cartoons provide a window into history by showing us what people were thinking and talking about at a given time and place. Today’s editorial cartoons will provide the same record of our own time.

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External Websites

  • The National WWII Museum - Political Cartoons
  • Public Broadcasting System - Global Connections - "Reading" Political Cartoons

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While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.

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https://www.britannica.com/topic/political-cartoon

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Alternate titles: editorial cartoon

By Thomas Knieper

Table of Contents

What is the purpose of a cartoon history?

political cartoon: Theodore Roosevelt

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Key People:Honoré Daumier Ralph Steadman Garry Trudeau John T. McCutcheon Thomas Nast...(Show more)Related Topics:cartoon cartoon Editorial Cartooning...(Show more)

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What is the purpose of a cartoon history?

political cartoon: William Pitt, the Younger

political cartoon, a drawing (often including caricature) made for the purpose of conveying editorial commentary on politics, politicians, and current events. Such cartoons play a role in the political discourse of a society that provides for freedom of speech and of the press. They are a primarily opinion-oriented medium and can generally be found on the editorial pages of newspapers and other journalistic outlets, whether in print or electronic form. Their subject matter is usually that of current and newsworthy political issues, and, in order for them to be understood, they require that readers possess some basic background knowledge about their subject matter, ideally that provided by the medium in which they are published.

What is the purpose of a cartoon history?

political cartoon: siege of Paris

A political cartoon is also an artistic vehicle characterized by both metaphorical and satirical language. It may point out the contexts, problems, and discrepancies of a political situation. Although a drawing reflects a cartoonist’s judgment and point of view and the visual commentary often exaggerates circumstances, responsible editorial standards do not allow the artist to alter facts. During the process of rendering opinions into such a visual form, many artistic decisions (regarding symbols, allegories, techniques, composition, and so forth) must be made. While doing so, the cartoonist must keep in mind whether the audience will be able to understand the editorial cartoon. When successful, political cartoons can fulfill an important criticizing and controlling function in society. In addition, political cartoons can encourage the process of opinion formation and decision making as well as provide entertaining perspectives on the news.

What is the main purpose of a cartoon?

Cartoons are used today primarily for conveying political commentary and editorial opinion in newspapers and for social comedy and visual wit in magazines.

Why are cartoons important historical sources?

Cartoons offer an insight into public opinion at the time they were published. Newspapers and journals often employ a cartoonist to produce topical cartoons once a day.

What is the purpose of political cartoons and how were they used in the late 1800s?

Political cartoons are ink drawings created to provide a humorous or critical opinion about political events at the time of its creation. They were particularly popular in newspapers and magazines during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

What was the purpose of the first political cartoon?

Join, or Die The cartoon, which first appeared in the Pennsylvania Gazette in May of 1754, became a symbol of the need for organized action against the threat posed by the French and their native allies during the Seven Years' War. It has been an enduring American symbol ever since.