Political Cartoon Review
Michelle Stockton
Professor Riggins
History 120
27 March 2014
Political Cartoon Review
The above cartoon was featured in 1856 in Punch magazine, located in London. The magazine itself was known for its wit. It featured comedy, satire, and cartoons based upon political and social issues. In their 1856 Vol. 31 issue, the above cartoon was featured and used to describe the state of war going on in America. The cartoon depicts a slave ripping a map of the United States in two, with a southern planter standing on his right and a northern businessman standing on his left. A caption on the bottom of the cartoon reads “The Dis-United States—A Black Business.” Punch illustrates the idea that the business of slavery is becoming detrimental to American society and is tearing the country apart as a whole.
In the cartoon, we see what appears to be a slave holding a map of the United States, a southern planter holding a rifle and smoking a cigarette, and a northern businessman dressed in professional attire, including a top hat.
The only phrase shown in the cartoon is at the bottom, stating “The Dis-United States—A Black Business.” The phrase identifies what is being depicted in the cartoon: two men, who represent both portions of the United States who are in disagreement over slavery and have become disjointed because of their disagreement. On the map being held by the slave, the words “North” and “South” are shown on either side of the torn middle, the “South” closer to the southern farmer at the right and the “North” closer to the northern businessman at the left.
Although the cartoon contains no important dates or numbers, I believe the most significant object within the cartoon is the representation of the torn map of the United States. Showing something that was once united against one cause – to gain freedom from England – has now become fragmented by bad business. I think the most significant words used in this cartoon were “The Dis-United States,” a phrase
Professor Riggins
History 120
27 March 2014
Political Cartoon Review
The above cartoon was featured in 1856 in Punch magazine, located in London. The magazine itself was known for its wit. It featured comedy, satire, and cartoons based upon political and social issues. In their 1856 Vol. 31 issue, the above cartoon was featured and used to describe the state of war going on in America. The cartoon depicts a slave ripping a map of the United States in two, with a southern planter standing on his right and a northern businessman standing on his left. A caption on the bottom of the cartoon reads “The Dis-United States—A Black Business.” Punch illustrates the idea that the business of slavery is becoming detrimental to American society and is tearing the country apart as a whole.
In the cartoon, we see what appears to be a slave holding a map of the United States, a southern planter holding a rifle and smoking a cigarette, and a northern businessman dressed in professional attire, including a top hat.
The only phrase shown in the cartoon is at the bottom, stating “The Dis-United States—A Black Business.” The phrase identifies what is being depicted in the cartoon: two men, who represent both portions of the United States who are in disagreement over slavery and have become disjointed because of their disagreement. On the map being held by the slave, the words “North” and “South” are shown on either side of the torn middle, the “South” closer to the southern farmer at the right and the “North” closer to the northern businessman at the left.
Although the cartoon contains no important dates or numbers, I believe the most significant object within the cartoon is the representation of the torn map of the United States. Showing something that was once united against one cause – to gain freedom from England – has now become fragmented by bad business. I think the most significant words used in this cartoon were “The Dis-United States,” a phrase