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The Road to War
Political Cartoons
The Flower (1919)
This cartoon by the British artist David Low appeared in the Star newspaper on 11 November 1919.
What is the message of this cartoon?
To do this question, you need first to borrow two concepts from English:
Denotation(what you see)
Connotation(how it affects its audience)
This cartoon by the British artist David Low appeared in the Star newspaper on 11 November 1919.
The League of Nations is an angel.
The angel of peace.
Denotation
Connotation
MeaningThe League is a divine bringer of peace to the world.
This cartoon by the British artist David Low appeared in the Star newspaper on 11 November 1919.
The League of Nations is a large flower.
Peace is a very beautiful thing.
Denotation
Connotation
MeaningThe League is a beautiful thing.
This cartoon by the British artist David Low appeared in the Star newspaper on 11 November 1919.
The flower is growing in a graveyard.
The League is one result of the deaths of the First World War.
Denotation
Connotation
MeaningThe soldiers did not die in vain – out of the killing of the war has come a way to keep the peace in the future.This cartoon by the British artist David Low
appeared in the Star newspaper on 11 November 1919.
Finally, always remember to look at:
Origin(who drew it)
Date(when it was published)
This cartoon by the British artist David Low appeared in the Star newspaper on 11 November 1919.
This cartoon by the British artist David Low appeared in the Star newspaper on 11 November 1919.
David Low, in the Star.
A British newspaper. David Low was a strong supporter of the League of Nations
Origin
Details
SignificanceThis cartoon illustrates the hope that British people (especially David Low) placed in the League to keep the peace.
This cartoon by the British artist David Low appeared in the Star newspaper on 11 November 1919.
11 November 1919.
Exactly a year after the Armistice – the first ‘Remembrance Day’.
Date
Details
SignificanceThis was part of the British public’s psychologically coming to terms with the First World War – remembering the slaughter, but also hoping it would be ‘the war to end all wars’.
The Gap in the Bridge (Br 1919)
Japanese Invasion of Manchuria (1931)
A British cartoon of 1933 shows Japan trampling all over the League, whilst Britain powders her nose.
Moral Persuasion (1936)• The rabbit is
saying: "My offensive equipment being practically nil, it remains for me to fascinate him with the power of my eye."
A rabbit, representing the League of Nations.
Rabbits are weak, and known for running away and hiding.
Denotation
Connotation
MeaningThe League is weak.
This cartoon – entitled ‘Moral Persuasion’ appeared in the British satirical magazine Punch in July 1920. The rabbit says: "My offensive equipment being practically nil, it remains for me to fascinate him with the power of my eye."
A snake, representing ‘international strife’ (i.e. war).
Snakes are powerful and evil, and they eat rabbits.
Denotation
Connotation
MeaningThe League is too weak to expect it to be able to stop war.
This cartoon – entitled ‘Moral Persuasion’ appeared in the British satirical magazine Punch in July 1920. The rabbit says: "My offensive equipment being practically nil, it remains for me to fascinate him with the power of my eye."
This cartoon – entitled ‘Moral Persuasion’ appeared in the British satirical magazine Punch in July 1920. The rabbit says: "My offensive equipment being practically nil, it remains for me to fascinate him with the power of my eye."
The rabbit (knowing it has no weapons) is preparing to try to hypnotise the snake.
IDIOCY! Snakes hypnotise their prey, and rabbits ‘freeze’ with fear – the rabbit is going to be killed.
Denotation
Connotation
Meaning‘Moral persuasion’ will never prevent war, and it will be the League which is destroyed.
This cartoon – entitled ‘Moral Persuasion’ appeared in the British satirical magazine Punch in July 1920. The rabbit says: "My offensive equipment being practically nil, it remains for me to fascinate him with the power of my eye."
July 1920.
Poland, Russia and Czechoslovakia were at war and the League could not stop it.
Date
Details
SignificanceThis showed the British public’s disappointment that the League seemed unable to stop war.
Italy Invades Abyssinia (1935)
• A British cartoon of 1935 shows international politics like a stage musical. Britain and France sing:
• ‘We don’t want you to fight,• but by jingo if you do,• We will probably issue a joint memorandum• Suggesting a mild disapproval of you.’
Appeasement
England footballers give the Nazi salute before a match in Germany in 1938 - a picture from German photograph archives.
Re-Militarize the Rhineland
This cartoon by the British cartoonist David Low appeared in the Evening Standard newspaper in July 1936.
Hitler goose-steps across the ‘spineless leaders of democracy’ towards his goal: ’Boss of the Universe’. The first 3 steps are labelled ‘Rearmament’, ‘Rhineland’ and ‘Danzig’.
What is the message of this cartoon?
To do this question, you need first to borrow two concepts from English:
Denotation(what you see)
Connotation(how it affects its audience)
Hitler goose-steps across the ‘spineless leaders of democracy’ towards his goal: ’Boss of the Universe’. The first 3 steps are labelled ‘Rearmament’, ‘Rhineland’ and ‘Danzig’.
This cartoon by the British cartoonist David Low appeared in the Evening Standard newspaper in July 1936.
Hitler strides across the ‘spineless leaders of democracy’ thumbing his nose.
Thumbing one’s nose is a sign of contempt.
Denotation
Connotation
MeaningHitler was increasing his power with utter contempt for the other countries of the world.
Hitler goose-steps across the ‘spineless leaders of democracy’ towards his goal: ’Boss of the Universe’. The first 3 steps are labelled ‘Rearmament’, ‘Rhineland’ and ‘Danzig’.
This cartoon by the British cartoonist David Low appeared in the Evening Standard newspaper in July 1936.
Hitler is goose-stepping.
German militarism – the goose-step was the formal march of the German army.
Denotation
Connotation
MeaningHitler is increasing his power by force and threat of military force.
Hitler goose-steps across the ‘spineless leaders of democracy’ towards his goal: ’Boss of the Universe’. The first 3 steps are labelled ‘Rearmament’, ‘Rhineland’ and ‘Danzig’.
This cartoon by the British cartoonist David Low appeared in the Evening Standard newspaper in July 1936.
Hitler is goose-stepping over ‘the spineless leaders of democracy’
The leaders of the western democracies are just giving way to Hitler.
Denotation
Connotation
MeaningAnger at appeasement and the need to stand up to Hitler – who intended to keep on expanding – are a regular message of Low’s cartoons.
Hitler goose-steps across the ‘spineless leaders of democracy’ towards his goal: ’Boss of the Universe’. The first 3 steps are labelled ‘Rearmament’, ‘Rhineland’ and ‘Danzig’.
This cartoon by the British cartoonist David Low appeared in the Evening Standard newspaper in July 1936.
The first three steps are taken towards the ultimate goal: ‘Boss of the Universe’.
‘Taking steps’ implies conscious decisions. Low does not know what Hitler will do next.
Denotation
Connotation
MeaningLow does not know what Hitler will do next, but he is sure that Hitler intends to continue until he rules the world.
Hitler goose-steps across the ‘spineless leaders of democracy’ towards his goal: ’Boss of the Universe’. The first 3 steps are labelled ‘Rearmament’, ‘Rhineland’ and ‘Danzig’.
Finally, always remember to look at:
Origin(who drew it)
Date(when it was published)
Hitler goose-steps across the ‘spineless leaders of democracy’ towards his goal: ’Boss of the Universe’. The first 3 steps are labelled ‘Rearmament’, ‘Rhineland’ and ‘Danzig’.
This cartoon by the British cartoonist David Low appeared in the Evening Standard newspaper in July 1936.
This cartoon by the British cartoonist David Low appeared in the Evening Standard newspaper in July 1936.
The British cartoonist David Low, in a British newspaper.
Low hated Hitler and appeasement.
Date
Details
SignificanceLow is reflecting the anti-appeasement standpoint that Hitler was just humiliating the appeasers.
Hitler goose-steps across the ‘spineless leaders of democracy’ towards his goal: ’Boss of the Universe’. The first 3 steps are labelled ‘Rearmament’, ‘Rhineland’ and ‘Danzig’.
This cartoon by the British cartoonist David Low appeared in the Evening Standard newspaper in July 1936.
July 1936.
In March 1936, German troops had re-occupied the Rhineland.
Origin
Details
SignificanceLow is warning that Hitler needed to be confronted, or he would continue trying to take over more countries.
Hitler goose-steps across the ‘spineless leaders of democracy’ towards his goal: ’Boss of the Universe’. The first 3 steps are labelled ‘Rearmament’, ‘Rhineland’ and ‘Danzig’.
Anschluss
• March 1938
Drawn by the British cartoonist Bernard Partridge for the satirical magazine Punch in February 1938.
The deer is labelled ‘Austrian Integrity’ and the sign says ‘Strictly Preserved’.
Hitler as a poacher, stealing a deer labelled ‘Austrian Integrity’.
Poaching has connotations of crime and cruelty – Hitler is shown as a ‘bad man’.
Denotation
Connotation
Meaning
Hitler is stealing Austria’s integrity (= independence/freedom).
Drawn by the British cartoonist Bernard Partridge for the satirical magazine Punch in February 1938.
The deer is labelled ‘Austrian Integrity’ and the sign says ‘Strictly Preserved’.
A sign stating: ‘Strictly preserved’.
Hitler is committing an illegal act.
Denotation
Connotation
Drawn by the British cartoonist Bernard Partridge for the satirical magazine Punch in February 1938.
The deer is labelled ‘Austrian Integrity’ and the sign says ‘Strictly Preserved’.
MeaningAnschluss was forbidden by the Treaty of Versailles, but Hitler was breaking the terms of the Treaty.
Hitler carries a gun.
The gun represents German militarism, violence and expansionism.
Denotation
Connotation
Drawn by the British cartoonist Bernard Partridge for the satirical magazine Punch in February 1938.
The deer is labelled ‘Austrian Integrity’ and the sign says ‘Strictly Preserved’.
Meaning
Hitler is stealing Austria’s integrity by force
The gamekeeper (who looks like Mussolini) lounges against the rock, waving Hitler on.
It is a lazy, ‘do-nothing’ pose, and the gesture is one of encouragement.
Denotation
Connotation
Drawn by the British cartoonist Bernard Partridge for the satirical magazine Punch in February 1938.
The deer is labelled ‘Austrian Integrity’ and the sign says ‘Strictly Preserved’.
MeaningMussolini (who stopped Hitler in 1934) is allowing – even encouraging – Hitler.
Austria is represented as a deer.
Deer as beautiful, but vulnerable.
(Although Austria was in fact a authoritarian, right-wing state.)
Denotation
Connotation
The deer is labelled ‘Austrian Integrity’ and the sign says ‘Strictly Preserved’.
MeaningNote how cartoonist misrepresents Austria (as delicate and vulnerable) in order to make Hitler look worse – i.e. this is a biased source.
Drawn by the British cartoonist Bernard Partridge for the satirical magazine Punch in February 1938.
The British cartoonist Bernard Partridge.
Partridge, as many British people, was alarmed by Hitler’s expansionism.
Origin
Details
SignificancePartridge is warning people of Hitler’s violent intentions; this is an anti-appeasement cartoon saying ‘why isn’t someone stopping him?’
The deer is labelled ‘Austrian Integrity’ and the sign says ‘Strictly Preserved’.
Drawn by the British cartoonist Bernard Partridge for the satirical magazine Punch in February 1938.
February 1938.
A month before Anschluss, as the crisis was developing.
Date
Details
SignificancePartridge is predicting (and condemning) the Anschluss if nothing is done to stop Hitler.
The deer is labelled ‘Austrian Integrity’ and the sign says ‘Strictly Preserved’.
At the back, Britain says to France, who is next-to-last: ‘Why should we take a stand
about someone pushing someone else when it’s all so far away?’
Czechoslovakia/ Munich Conference
Deutschland Uber Alles (‘Germany over all’).
'Europe can look forward to a Christmas of peace'
March 15, 1939
