Analyzing Attitudes Through Political Cartoons

Instructions: Draw a quick sketch of the political cartoon in the corresponding box. Then discuss the questions with

your partner and write the answers. Points are awarded on thoroughness and thoughtfulness of answers.

Political Cartoon A

The caption of this cartoon reads: “The Great Fear of the Period: That

Uncle Sam May be Swallowed by Foreigners – The Problem Solved.”

1. Who does the man wearing the hat represent? The man wearing

the pigtail? The man being eaten?

2. What is the great fear that the artist refers to in the caption? How does

the cartoon represent that fear?

3. What does the artist see as the end result of the fear? How does the cartoon depict that end result?

4. What is the artist’s feeling towards foreigners, explain?

Political Cartoon B

In 1890, Secretary of Treasury Windom wanted to turn the Island at the

base of the Statue of Liberty into a processing point for immigrants. The

public was outraged. This caption reads “Statue of Liberty: Mr. Windom,

if your’re going to make this island a garbage heap, I’m going back to

France.”

1. What are the ships dumping on Liberty’s island?

2. What is the Statue of Liberty thinking? Why?

3. What is ironic about the Statue’s reaction in this cartoon?

4. What is the artist’s attitude toward immigration, explain?

Political Cartoon C

Castle Garden was the main processing point for immigrants before

facilities at Ellis Island were built.

1. What is happening in this cartoon?

2. Why do the people in the holes have traps set out? How do

immigrants seem to be reacting?

3. Is the artist sympathetic to the plight of the immigrants? Why?

4. Create a caption for this cartoon:

Political Cartoon D

The caption on this cartoon reads: “parting the waters for Europe’s

refugees.”

1. Who is parting the waters in this cartoon? Describe his facial

features. What Biblical figure does he represent?

2. Who do the people walking between the parting waves

represent? From where are they coming? What is their

destination? What do the waves represent?

3. How is Europe represented? The United States? Why?

4. Would this cartoon appeal to people with anti-foreign feelings, why or why not?

Political Cartoon E

The sign about Uncle Sam reads: “U.S. Ark of Refuge”

1. Who are the characters in this cartoon?

2. What is Uncle Sam offering the immigrants, why?

3. What might the figures in the dark clouds in the upper right-

hand corner of the cartoon represent?

4. How has the artist portrayed the immigrants? Do they appear deserving of Uncle Sam’s welcome? Explain.

Political Cartoon F

The caption on this cartoon reads: “Your’re a Cheap Bunch of Soreheads

and You Can’t Land Here.”

1. What is happening in this cartoon?

2. How is Uncle Sam portrayed? What is he holding in his hand?

3. Which of the people on Uncle Sam’s list were born in the United States? Why are they depicted as

immigrants?

4. What is the meaning of the sign hanging on the Statue of Liberty?

Political Cartoon G

The caption of this cartoon reads: “Every Dog (no distinction of color)

has his day. Red Gentleman to Yellow Gentleman: ‘Pale face ‘fraid

you crowd him out, as he did me.’”

1. To what legislative act does this cartoon refer? What did this act

do?

2. What was the fear many white Americans that this cartoon

addressed? How does the second part of the caption relate to this

fear?

3. What does the first part of the caption mean? How do the three characters in the cartoon relate to it?

4. Is the artist pro – or anti- immigration, explain?

Political Cartoon H

Uncle Sam welcomes a group of fierce-looking bandits, knives clenched

priate fashion.

1. Whom do the bandits in this cartoon represent? Why ?

2. What is Uncle Sam’s reaction to what is happening?

3. What is the significance of the image of President McKinley in the smoke of Uncle Sam’s cigar?

4. Create your own caption for this cartoon:

[Type a quote from the document or the summary of an

interesting point. You can position the text box anywhere in

the document. Use the Text Box Tools tab to change the

formatting of the pull quote text box.]

Political Cartoon F

Political Cartoon C

Political Cartoon E

Political Cartoon B

Political Cartoon G

Political Cartoon D

Political Cartoon A

Political Cartoon H – Placard 1.3 H