Presentation Transcript
What’s So Funny? Using Cartoons as Primary Sources :What’s So Funny? Using Cartoons as Primary Sources
Why Use Cartoons :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 :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 :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
Interpreting Cartoons :Interpreting Cartoons What about this cartoon? 1972 Olympic Games, Munich
Thomas Nast (1840-1902) :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 :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! :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 :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!