How do you analyze a political cartoon?

2. I already knew that you need to connect the cartoon with events happening or have already happened in politics. I learned that it helps to identify techniques the author is trying to use to convey his opinion.

3. I will be able to look at political cartoons in a more constructive and critical thinking way. The guide I used (political cartoons guide) breaks down the process of understanding political cartoons in to steps in order to make them easier to follow. The three main steps they describe as being helpful to understand political cartoons are observe, reflect, and question.

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Observe:  The large man illustrates America, and the smaller men represent other countries. The large man is obviously the dominant one, and the smaller men are intimidated because of the size and strength.

Reflect: This illustrates how America was viewed as being superior and more powerful than the other countries. It also illustrates how the other countries weren't very happy with America and didn't want to have respect for the US. 

Question: What is the bear suppose to symbolize? How did America become so superior?

Philippine War

Observe: There is an official looking man and a guard both opening gates to the Philippines. There are several men, looking like soldiers, moving towards the gates with heavy bags. 

Reflect: This cartoon aims to illustrate how the US took over the Philippines. This shows a fairly serious tone being set in the cartoon, which might show the artist's belief of the annexation of the Philippines as being immoral. On the other hand, the level of seriousness could show insight that the author thought this step was necessary to improve as a nation. 

Question:  what specific details could tell the author's views?

Philippine Foot

Observe: This political cartoon shows a large shiny shoe stomping and crushing the Philippines. There is also a tiny man trying to "poke" or fight back at the shoe. 

Reflect:  This cartoon was taking place within the Philippine conflict. The big shiny shoe represents the welath of America that is trying to invade and take over the Philippines. The little man represents how the Philippines wnated to push America back and didn't really want anything to do with them. 

Question: Why did the Philippines reject America? Why did America want the Philippines so badly?