Using Political Cartoons in the Classroom

Especially for Teachers...

American Cartoon Prints - (Prints and Photographs) Link to more than 500 political prints made in America during the 18th and 19th centuries. Browse the entire collection by subject or click on the terms "political cartoons" or "caricatures."

Art of Arthur Szyk, The - (Library of Congress Information Bulletin) Read about Arthur Szyk’s anti-Axis World War II propaganda art. Type "cartoon" into the search box at the top of the LCIB index page to locate additional cartoon related articles.

Arthur Szyk: Artist for Freedom - (Exhibition) Explore the intricate drawings and cartoons created by Arthur Szyk, a Polish Jewish artist who emigrated to the United States in the 1940s.

Bill Mauldin: Beyond Willie and Joe - (Exhibition) This online presentation celebrates Mauldin’s life and features a selection of original cartoons spanning his career as a cartoonist.

British Cartoon Prints - (Prints and Photographs) Explore this sampling of 18th and 19th century digitized political and satirical cartoon prints by cartoonist and theme.

Caroline and Erwin Swan Foundation for Caricature and Cartoon – Exhibitions and Online Presentations - (Prints and Photographs) This site links to exhibitions based on the Library’s cartoon and caricature collections.

Cartoon Cornucopia: The J. Arthur Wood Collection - (Prints and Photographs) Enjoy a sampling from this recent Library of Congress acquisition of original cartoon art.

Cartoon, The - (Prints and Photographs) Cartoonist, Herb Block, writes about the political cartoon as a communication method.

Cartoon-related Research at the Library - (Prints and Photographs) This essay offers tips for doing cartoon research at the Library of Congress.

Comic Book Art/Political Cartoons - (Exhibition) View cartoons from the September 11 Witness and Response exhibition.

Edmund Valtman: The Cartoonist Who Came in From the Cold - (Prints and Photographs) Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonist, Edmund Valtman, takes an anti-Communist stance on Cold War issues in his cartoons.

Herblock’s Gift: Selections from the Herblock Foundation Collection - (Exhibition) This exhibition features a selection of original Herblock cartoons spanning the artist's career.

Herblock’s History: Political Cartoons From the Crash to the Millenium - (Exhibition) The Presidents section of this exhibition features caricatures of American presidents from Herbert Hoover to Bill Clinton.

Humor’s Edge: Cartoons by Anne Telnaes - (Exhibition) Cartoons in the Pulitzer Prize Winning Cartoons section of this exhibit relate to the 2000 election.

Monstrous Craws & Character Flaws: Masterpieces of Cartoon and Caricature at the Library of Congress - (Exhibition) Explore this online exhibition of caricatures and cartoons that demonstrate the power of art as a vehicle for social and political commentary.

Oliphant’s Anthem: Presidential Campaigns - (Exhibition) This online exhibition includes a variety of Pat Oliphant’s editorial cartoons related to presidential campaigns.

Pat Oliphant’s Editorial Cartoons - (Learning Page Professional Development Workshop) Find the story in the cartoon in this section of the Discovering American Memory Workshop.

Cartoon Analysis Worksheet

Especially for your Students...

Afflicting the Comfortable: Cartoonist Paul Conrad Puts Words Behind the Pictures - (Library of Congress Information Bulletin) Learn more about editorial cartoonist, Paul Conrad, and his donation to the Library of Congress.

American Memory Timeline Learning Page: Women’s Suffrage in the Progressive Era - (Feature) This political cartoon addresses a woman’s right to vote.

American Treasures: Cartoonist Bill Mauldin - (Exhibition) Learn about Bill Mauldin, one of America’s greatest editorial cartoonists.

American Treasures: Stop Thief! - (Exhibition) Learn about Thomas Nast – 19th century political cartoonist.

Cartoonist Who Came in From the Cold, A - (Wise Guide) Learn about Edmund Valtman, an American cartoonist of the Cold War era.

Is Winning the Nobel Prize a Crime? - (Wise Guide) Bill Mauldin won the 1958 Nobel Prize for Literature for this cartoon.

It’s No Laughing Matter: Analyzing Political Cartoons - (Learning Page Activity) Cartoonists use a collection of tools to help them get their point across. Use this interactive activity to take apart real-world cartoons as you learn how to spot the methods behind the message.

It’s the Stupidest Tea Party - (Wise Guide) According to editorial cartoonist Herb Block, the stupidest tea party was when, in October 1999, presidential candidate Patrick Buchanan switched from the Republican Party to the Reform Party.

Jump Back in Time: Boss Tweed Escapes From Prison - (America’s Library) This 1876 Thomas Nast cartoon depicting Tweed wearing the uniform of a convict, enabled Spanish authorities to recognize Tweed.

Jump Back in Time: Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony - (America’s Library) This 1896 political cartoon pokes fun at these two women suffragists.

Jump Back in Time: Florida Seceded - (America’s Library) Discover the meaning behind this 1861 cartoon.

Jump Back in Time: James K. Polk Is Elected 11th President of the United States - (America’s Library) This 1844 pro-Democrat cartoon shows Polk, the expansionist candidate, and the collapse of Whig opposition to the addition of Texas.

Jump Back in Time: Marshall and McCarthyism - (America’s Library) This 1953 editorial cartoon comments on the political problems Senator Joseph McCarthy presented to President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Jump Back in Time: Susan B. Anthony Women’s Suffrage Amendment - (America’s Library) This 1890s cartoon shows Susan B. Anthony chasing after President Grover Cleveland in her fight for women's right to vote.

Jump Back in Time: Teddy Bears - (America’s Library) Learn the meaning behind Clifford Berryman’s cartoon of Roosevelt as a Rough Rider with a bear cub.

Jump Back in Time: The 24th Amendment Ended the Poll Tax - (America’s Library) This 1964 cartoon makes fun of the poll tax.

Jump Back in Time: The Expedition Act Was Passed - (America’s Library) This 1900s cartoon shows Theodore Roosevelt breaking up big trusts, including the beef trust.

Jump Back in Time: William Jennings Bryan and the Free Silver Movement - (America’s Library) Examine these 1896 and 1900 political cartoons illustrating Bryan’s belief in the Free Silver Movement.

Meet Amazing Americans: Jane Addams Peacemaker - (America’s Library) During World War I, newspaper cartoons like this one made fun of pacifists like Jane Addams.

Oliphant’s Anthem: Exhibition Commemorates Cartoonist’s Work. - (Library of Congress Information Bulletin) Read excerpts from an interview with editorial cartoonist, Pat Oliphant. Type "cartoon" into the search box at the top of the LCIB home page to locate additional cartoon related articles.

Providing a Reality Check - (Wise Guide) Learn about Anne Telnaes, Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonist.