The political cartoonist as historian : the League of Nations debate in the USA, 1918-1922 : a case study
Political cartoons have largely been ignored as a research tool by historians. Where cartoons have bee used, it has simply been to enliven books and monographs, with little attention being paid the actual cartoon. By using cartoons as the primary resource to study a specific period in history, their true worth has been shown. In 1919 America declined to ratify the Treaty of Versailles and so rejected membership of the League of Nations, despite the American president, Woodrow Wilson, being the chief advocate and architect of the League. It has been possible to follow these events, from the cessation of hostilities in November 1918 until ratification of the Treaty was defeated in 1920 and beyond, through the medium of political cartoons published in newspapers and magazines of the day. The cartoonists were both didacts and proselytisers, seeking to educate the public as to what was happening, while trying to sway the public around to their particular point of view. This intention is important to those seeking to gauge public opinion and its formulation. Apart from the political history opening up before one's eyes in a uniquely lively fashion, and because the cartoonists filled their drawing with what they
Walker, Joyce A.
History
The political cartoonist as historian : the League of Nations debate in the USA, 1918-1922 : a case study. Political cartoons have largely been ignored as a research tool by historians. Where cartoons have bee used, it has simply been to enliven books and monographs, with little attention being paid the actual cartoon. By using cartoons as the primary resource to study a specific period in history, their true worth has been shown. In 1919 America declined to ratify the Treaty of Versailles and so rejected membership of the League of Nations, despite the American president, Woodrow Wilson, being the chief advocate and architect of the League. It has been possible to follow these events, from the cessation of hostilities in November 1918 until ratification of the Treaty was defeated in 1920 and beyond, through the medium of political cartoons published in newspapers and magazines of the day. The cartoonists were both didacts and proselytisers, seeking to educate the public as to what was happening, while trying to sway the public around to their particular point of view. This intention is important to those seeking to gauge public opinion and its formulation. Apart from the political history opening up before one's eyes in a uniquely lively fashion, and because the cartoonists filled their drawing with what they
political historian league_nations debate usa case_study political largely_ignored tool historian use simply book monograph little_attention_pay actual use primary resource study specific period history true worth show america decline treaty reject membership league_nations despite american president wilson chief advocate architect league possible follow event cessation hostility treaty defeat beyond medium political publish newspaper magazine day seek educate public happening try public around particular point_view intention important seek gauge public_opinion formulation apart political_history open eye uniquely lively fashion fill draw