History of Cartoons
A cartoon is defined as a form of two-dimensional illustrated visual art of non-realistic drawing or painting intended for satire, caricature, or humor. Originally, this form of art was the "rough draft" of a more fine piece of art such as a fresco during the middle ages. Beginning in the 19th century, humorous illustrations made their way onto the pages of magazines and newspapers.
The cartoon above is one of the oldest political cartoons known. This cartoon is of serpent split into different sections. The sections are labeled as the initials of the original colonies of America (from left to right: South Caroline, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Rhode Island, New Jersey, New York, and New England). Delaware and Georgia were completely left out and New England was actually four colonies. This cartoon was created by Benjamin Franklin in May of 1754 and published in the Pennsylvania Gazette. The cartoon is used as a symbol for colonial unity.
When looking at political cartoons, one should look for many things. Symbols are one of the biggest clues to the meaning behind a political cartoon. This cartoon, entitled "Join, or die" shows a snake. At the time of the cartoons creation, the folklore stated that if a severed snake's pieces were placed near each other before sunset, they would fuse together once again. Franklin used this folklore to his advantage trying to convince that if the colonies were not together as one, they were weak enough to fall.
The cartoon above is one of the oldest political cartoons known. This cartoon is of serpent split into different sections. The sections are labeled as the initials of the original colonies of America (from left to right: South Caroline, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Rhode Island, New Jersey, New York, and New England). Delaware and Georgia were completely left out and New England was actually four colonies. This cartoon was created by Benjamin Franklin in May of 1754 and published in the Pennsylvania Gazette. The cartoon is used as a symbol for colonial unity.
When looking at political cartoons, one should look for many things. Symbols are one of the biggest clues to the meaning behind a political cartoon. This cartoon, entitled "Join, or die" shows a snake. At the time of the cartoons creation, the folklore stated that if a severed snake's pieces were placed near each other before sunset, they would fuse together once again. Franklin used this folklore to his advantage trying to convince that if the colonies were not together as one, they were weak enough to fall.