Saturday, August 13, 2011

Historic Political Cartoons

An editorial cartoon, also known as a political cartoon, is an illustration containing a commentary that usually relates to current events or personalities. They typically combine artistic skill, hyperbole and biting humor in order to question authority and draw attention to corruption and other social ills. Read the Terms of Use before downloading these diagrams and click on the image to retrieve the largest size available please.
Printed and published by none other than Benjamin Franklin, May 9, 1754. The fragmented parts of the snake represent the divided American colonies.
Early cartoon commemorating Washington's Death, December 12, 1799. The Federalist grieved over their greatest hero.
An editorial cartoon of Andrew Johnson and Abraham Lincoln, 1865, entitled "The Rail Splitter at Work Repairing the Union." The caption reads: (Johnson): "Take it quietly Uncle Abe and I will draw it closer than ever." (Lincoln): "A few more stitches Andy and the good old Union will be mended."
"To begin with, 'I'll paint the town red'." Grant E. Hamilton, The Judge vol. 7, 31 January 1885
This Northern cartoon (1863) shows the Union being threatened by political reptiles. The reptiles are wearing the hats typically worn by Midwest Democratic congressmen in 1860-65.
Cartoon by Nast. Pictured, Greeley and Tammany swallowing each other during the campaign of 1872.

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