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. |
"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. |
More About Political Cartoons:
- American Association of Editorial Cartoonists Political cartoons by the members of the American Association of Editorial Cartoonists
- About.com: Political Cartoons Comprehensive guide to political editorial cartoons on the Web
- Using editorial cartoons in the classroom Sources, analysis, interpretation (mostly English with some German)
- Gettysburg College Civil War Era Digital Collection Contains over 300 Civil War Era political cartoons
- American Social History Online
- The Role of Puck's Cartoons in Gilded Age Politics from American Studies at the University of Virginia
- CartoonMovement.com: Political Cartoons and Comics Journalism from around the world