How Do You Analyze a Political Cartoon?

To analyze a political cartoon, you must look deeper into the context of whatever is being said in the cartoon, while keeping in mind that these cartoons generally speak upon a serious subject (of which the reader should be able to understand) but do not do so in the way that people should become offended. It is a "political cartoon," as it shows an important subject throughout politics, but describes in it a way that everyone can view and consider without becoming too offended.

This guide that describes how to analyze political cartoons (source below) differs from my suggestions in that it vividly tells the reader how to look into a political cartoon, not only understanding the meaning of the subject given, but doing so by noticing specific things in the cartoon, such as the first thing that draws your attention, or how the cartoon might look different than it would in a photograph.

I never thought about looking as deep into a political cartoon to understand it as this guide had explained, and that is why I chose this guide as the one that I will use to analyze other political cartoons. In the future, I will look further into the cartoon to understand what the picture is really trying to depict, not only an opinion or a certain topic, but the importance of that opinion or topic.

Guide to Analyzing Political Cartoons




Philippines Political Cartoon

This cartoon shows Aguinaldo, as the person holding the shovel, under the massive boot of the US, trying to pry the US off of the island. The sign behind him states: "NOTICE: The U.S. is requested to withdraw P.D.Q. -Signed, Aguinaldo." This shows how even though it is clear that Aguinaldo wants the US to withdraw from the Philippines, they were there to stay, as shown by the massive boot that demonstrates the US' power and strength against the Filipinos.


Spanish-American War Political Cartoon

This cartoon represents the US and how they attempted to reform the Spanish culture of many different colonies, such as the Philipines, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii. In this cartoon (again showing the US as a large character to demonstrate the nation's power) the US  is depicted as a teacher, trying to teach the classroom full of students (representing the Spanish colonies), while it is obvious that the students dont want to listen or cooperate at all. This shows how the US was trying to force the Spanish colonies to assimilate to American ways, and it is clear that they didn't want them to.


Spanish American War - Imperialism

This cartoon depicts the US (again) as the hulking Uncle Sam, as he stands over the United States, while reaching to grab for Cuba and the Philippines, This illustrates how the US, while already a giant among empires, continued to reach towards the Spanish colonies for conquest.