Political Political CartoonsCartoons

of the of the American American RevolutionRevolution

Why Use Political Cartoons?Why Use Political Cartoons?

Speed in delivery of information: A Speed in delivery of information: A cartoon’s message is translated in an cartoon’s message is translated in an instant.instant.

Humor is a compelling way to sway Humor is a compelling way to sway people’s ideas and beliefs.people’s ideas and beliefs.

Humor is Fun!!!!!!Humor is Fun!!!!!!

What makes Political Cartoons What makes Political Cartoons Effective?Effective?

CaricatureCaricature HumorHumor References to events or people References to events or people IronyIrony Symbolic ImagerySymbolic Imagery

““The Colonies Reduced.”The Colonies Reduced.”

The cartoon depicts Mother England, surrounded by The cartoon depicts Mother England, surrounded by her amputated limbs—marked Virginia, Pennsylvania, her amputated limbs—marked Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, and New England—as she contemplates New York, and New England—as she contemplates the decline of her empire.the decline of her empire.

Franklin, who was in England representing the Franklin, who was in England representing the colonists’ claims, arranged to have the image printed colonists’ claims, arranged to have the image printed on cards that he distributed to members of Parliament. on cards that he distributed to members of Parliament. He hoped it would influence them to stop taxation He hoped it would influence them to stop taxation without representation and other British acts that without representation and other British acts that offended the colonists.offended the colonists.

Store Front“Butcher’s Hall”British attacking

Innocent civilians killedDefenseless &UnarmedHorrid, Terrible, MassacreUnhappy sufferers, Mortally Wounded

“The Sentry”

Now it’s story time! Focus =

Perspective and Bias

(gather around my ankles like tiny squirrels)

Historical Backgroundof Franklin’s cartoon

Representatives of seven colonies met in Albany to unite the colonies in matters of defense.

Benjamin Franklin proposed the Albany Plan of Union, which provided for a congress of delegates representing all the colonies.

England rejected it because she felt that a union of the colonies would make them too strong.

This was America’s first political cartoon, which appeared in Franklin’s newspaper shortly after the Albany Congress.

The drawing was based on the popular superstition that a snake that had been cut in two would come to life if the pieces were joined before sunset.

Cow representing English commerce being milked and dehorned by France, Spain, and the American Colonists while the British lion sleeps (created during the American Revolutionary War).

Thomas Jefferson is a prime example of a target for cartoonists.

1. The noose might be a general threat or a symbol that represented the popular use of effigies in protests. 2. THE LIBERTY TREE : a specific Elm tree used to hang people in effigy-- also a gathering spot for Sons of liberty3. Although it is unclear in this image, the poster, which hangs upside down, says “STAMP ACT.”   Hanging the sign upside down may indicate surrender on the part of the British, since there is a tradition that flags are hung upside down to signal surrender. 4. This outfit identifies the participant as a sailor. The leather apron on the man next to him identifies him as an artisan. Why were they involved?5. The liquid used would be distasteful and likely to promote vomiting—possibly vinegar. 6. The official's costume is the result of TARRING AND FEATHERING; It was a painful and dangerous practice that covered the subject with hot tar, rolled him in chicken feathers, and subjected him to public ridicule.7. The Boston Tea Party is happening in the background8. Liberty cap on a pole, a symbol of the American Revolution and the SONS OF LIBERTY.

Repealing the Stamp ActRepealing the Stamp Act

Above the VaultAbove the Vault

““Within this Family Vault, Lie Interred, it is to Within this Family Vault, Lie Interred, it is to be hoped never to rise again, The Star be hoped never to rise again, The Star Chamber Court Ship Money Excise Money Chamber Court Ship Money Excise Money & all Imposts without Parliament…” & all Imposts without Parliament…” (translation: inside the vault lies the Stamp (translation: inside the vault lies the Stamp Act and all unjust acts that alienate the Act and all unjust acts that alienate the colonies!).colonies!).

Skeleton HeadsSkeleton Heads

These show the dates of two Rebellion These show the dates of two Rebellion Years. Years.

Let’s ignore 1745 Let’s ignore 1745 (it’s a rebellion of Scots against the (it’s a rebellion of Scots against the British throne to restore a previous King. It failed). British throne to restore a previous King. It failed).

1765 is Stamp Act-- the colonists rebelled. 1765 is Stamp Act-- the colonists rebelled. Why is it represented with a skeleton Why is it represented with a skeleton head??head??

The CoffinThe Coffin

Contains the remains of the Stamp Act as it Contains the remains of the Stamp Act as it is being carried towards the open vault. is being carried towards the open vault.

The VaultThe Vault

The vault has been prepared for the burial of The vault has been prepared for the burial of all unjust acts that would alienate all unjust acts that would alienate Englishmen. Englishmen.

The MenThe Men

Leading the procession and preparing to Leading the procession and preparing to deliver the funeral eulogy is the Reverend deliver the funeral eulogy is the Reverend W. Scott, who is followed by the mourners: W. Scott, who is followed by the mourners: Grenville (carrying the coffin), Bute, Bedford, Grenville (carrying the coffin), Bute, Bedford, and Temple, some of the same Englishmen and Temple, some of the same Englishmen who were responsible for passing the act. who were responsible for passing the act.

The DockThe Dock

By setting the action on a dock, the artist is By setting the action on a dock, the artist is able to show the large unshipped cargoes able to show the large unshipped cargoes destined for America that accumulated destined for America that accumulated during the period when the act was in force during the period when the act was in force (because of colonists boycotting all British (because of colonists boycotting all British goods!). goods!).

The ShipsThe Ships

Ships labeled "Conway," "Rockingham," and Ships labeled "Conway," "Rockingham," and "Grafton" that represent the Parliamentary "Grafton" that represent the Parliamentary leaders responsible for the repeal of the bill leaders responsible for the repeal of the bill now stand ready to carry the goods to now stand ready to carry the goods to America. America.

The GoodsThe Goods

Stamps just returned from America are also Stamps just returned from America are also stacked on the wharf. stacked on the wharf.