A Whos Who of Political Cartoons & Source Analysis

Identifying and Classifying Characters

For each cartoon, you must be able to recognise both the characters and symbols that are present. In doing so, it will be easier to interpret and analyse
source. Each nation has characters and symbols unique to that nation and period of history.

Cartoonists
It can be helpful to look for the artist in Political Cartoons. If you can recognise the cartoonist it will help you identify the message they are trying to convey and
what perspective the cartoon portrays.
Some of the most used are:
David Low - British Cartoonist
Dr Seuss - American Cartoonist

United States of America

Often use various symbols or animals to represent the USA. For example the American Bald Eagle is often used to symbolise America. A donkey and an
elephant may also be used to represent the two major political parties, Democrats and Republicans respectively.

Uncle Sam
Uncle Sam is the physical representation of the USA. He
is always portrayed as tall and slender wearing a large top
hat usually with the stars and stripes pattern on his
clothes and hat. The origin of his name and character
dates back to the Civil War.

John Q. Public is the name given to a common man of

America.
 Great Britain
Often depicted as a Lion, although sometimes it can also be
represented by a British Bulldog.

John Bull
John Bull is the symbolic character of Britain. He is usually represented
as an overweight gentleman with a bowler hat or short top hat. He is
also sometimes represented with a Union Jack on his chest.

Great Britain will also be represented by its Prime Minister, Winston

Churchill.

Soviet Union
The Soviet Union is usually represented by a Bear. The Soviet Union was communist and communism is
represented by the Hammer and Sickle.

The main character will be leader of the Soviet Union, Joseph Stalin. He will
sometimes simply be called Stalin or Joe. Stalin usually identified by wearing
a Soviet Hammer and Sickle or by his large, dark moustache.
Germany
Germany is often represented by one of its national symbols, the Imperial Eagle. This will be a black eagle, different to the American Bald Eagle. You may
also notice the pointed top war helmet, which German WW1 soldiers wore.

The character will be Adolf

Hitler. You will recognise
him by his infamous
moustache. Hitler will also
be depicted with black hair
and usually as Nazi
Swastika somewhere on his
clothing.

Japan
Japan is usually represented with the Rising Sun flag which was the military flag and ensign used primarily by the military forces of Imperial Japan and
Japan's Self Defense Forces.

Japans wartime leader General Tojo Hideki is often depicted in

cartoons. He can be recognised with his close-cropped hair,
mustache, and round spectacles.
Source Analysis Questions
Context: The background information about a particular event. Think of it as places, faces, date and event.
1. Identify the PLACE - whose perspective is this source from? Is it Nazi propaganda etc?
2. Identify the FACES - think people (Hitler, Stalin etc).
3. Identify the DATE - when was the source made.
4. Identify the EVENT - what event is the source showing us?

Perspective:
What were the attitudes and beliefs of the person who created the source? Is the author against the idea?
What is the sources context?
Would another source have a different point of view depending on his/her background experiences?
What opinions does the source/author offer for a reader?
What facts were missing?
What words and phrases did the source/author use to present the information?
Why is the source presented in such a way, or why does the author present it in such a way?

Elements: Look at all the parts of the source including the caption, symbols, language used. How does the author convey their thoughts?

Message: Every source has been created for a reason. What is the message the author wants to convey to the reader? Think about the
meaning of the source. How does it make want you to feel, think, act?

Usefulness: All sources are useful depending on whether or not they are reliable. In order to concisely answer whether a source is useful,
consider the three Rs:
Is the source relevant to what is being asked?
Has the source revealed an insight into the question?
Is the source reliable in providing the information required to answer the question?

Reliability
Is the source consistent with data available about the topic?
Are there other sources which could validate the information given from this source?
Does it have credibility? Where was it published? How was it published?
Does the source fulfil an agenda? Is there BIAS?

Purpose
Why did the author create the source? Was it to document an event, write a historical summary on an event, give their opinion and/or to
sway an audience?