What’s So Funny? Using Cartoons as Primary Sources
What’s So Funny? Using Cartoons as Primary Sources Why Use Cartoons Information about historical events Attitudes of society at the time Good example of multiple perspectives Remember, a cartoonist is expressing an opinion not fact Where to Find Cartoons Newspapers Editorial pages
What’s So Funny? Using Cartoons as Primary Sources
E N D
Presentation Transcript
Why Use Cartoons • Information about historical events • Attitudes of society at the time • Good example of multiple perspectives • Remember, a cartoonist is expressing an opinion not fact
Where to Find Cartoons • Newspapers • Editorial pages • Archival collections • “CA” at OHS • Collected works • Artist or topic specific • Internet sites • See CD tutorial
Tools Used By Cartoonist • Exaggeration • Allusion • Analogy • Symbolism • Caricature • Stereotype • Humor • Personification
Interpreting Cartoons • Historical background • Secondary sources • Date • Examine the publication • Use visual clues • Issue • Read surrounding editorials and articles • Labels, Symbols and Stereotypes • Secondary sources and surrounding editorials and articles • Artist
Interpreting Cartoons What about this cartoon? 1972 Olympic Games, Munich
Thomas Nast (1840-1902) • Popularized the elephant and donkey as representations of Republican and Democratic parties • Originated “popular” image of Santa Claus • Began a position at Harper’s Weekly in summer of 1862 • Decline in popularity and skill in the mid-1870s • Considered the “Father of American Caricature”
Primary Source Activity • Look at your Thomas Nast cartoon • Complete the activity • Share with the group • What did you notice about your cartoon compared to the other cartoons?
Now it’s YOUR turn! • Create your own cartoon about the Civil War or Reconstruction • Who are the players? • What position are you supporting? • Be creative • Draw the opposite of your opinion • Experiment with symbols • Are you drawing as a contemporary or in retrospect? • Share with the group
Example • If I pick Ohio and Underground Railroad as my topic, my cartoon may look like this If you have artistic skills your cartoon may actually look much better!