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Teaming Up on Health Care
Use this political cartoon handout to help pupils understand the role the Blue Dog Coalition plays with regard to Health Care Reform. Football is used metaphorically to represent a player (Blue Dogs) tackling someone on his team (Obama)....
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McCarthyism: 60 Years Later
Explore legendary cartoonist Herb Block's bold challenge of McCarthy-era politics through this analysis activity. Two cartoons are included, along with talking points to prompt analysis and background information to help pupils "read...
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What Does the Government Do Right?
Challenge your class to reevaluate preconceived notions about government with this political cartoon analysis. An image presents a clear example of irony, in which a disgruntled American complains about his government, yet fails to see...
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Cartoons and Protest
Students examine political cartoons from 1774 through today, determine their meanings through analysis and discussion, and create their own political cartoons focusing on historical issues studied in class.
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Fine Tuning a Nation: Using Cartoons
Students examine political cartoons to gain an understanding of the political issues that George Washington faced. In this historical perspectives lesson plan, students analyze political cartoons about the National Bank, the title...
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Cartoons for the Classroom: Watchdogs
Use this political cartoon as a class warm up or discussion starter. Upper graders examine the role of newspapers as government watchdogs. Items for consideration are available, alongside a vivid cartoon.
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Cartoons for the Classroom: General Motors Bailout
Bestow background in big business bailouts on your scholars with this political cartoon analysis handout. Two cartoons focus on the General Motors bankruptcy, and its effect on American taxpayers. Background information gives context for...
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The assassination of the Archduke: Exploring Perspectives
Use political cartoons for a multiple-perspectives strategy, as pupils learn about the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. After an anticipatory discussion, they are split into 2 groups. The class reads a primary source account...
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Rebels Or Resisters?
Middle schoolers participate in a mock trial on the Whiskey Rebellion that took place in the state of Pennsylvania in 1794. They analyze the perspectives presented by both sides to determine whether the Whiskey "rebels" were guilty of...
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Political Cartoons as Part of the Election Process
Students explore the impact of political cartoons on American elections. In this presidential elections instructional activity, students discuss the election process and then analyze political cartoons that were published during...
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Cartoon Analysis Worksheet Key Jay’s Treaty
In this primary source analysis worksheet, high schoolers examine a political cartoon about Jay's Treaty and then respond to 10 analysis questions about the cartoons they select. The cartoon is not included and answers to each of the...
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Cartoon Analysis Worksheet
In this primary source analysis instructional activity, students select political cartoons and then respond to 10 analysis questions about the cartoons they select.
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Illingworth Cartoons: The Cold War
In this political cartoon analysis worksheet, students examine a political cartoon from the Cold War era and respond to 5 short answer questions about it.
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Cold War II
In this Cold War worksheet, students examine political cartoons from the era and then respond to 10 short answer questions. The cartoons are not included.
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McCarthysim
Eleventh graders explore and analyze the impact of the Cold War at home and how the fear of communism and nuclear war affected American life throughout the Cold War. They study what role Senator Joseph McCarthy played on American fears...
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Analyzing Election Cartoons
Students are introduced to the history of political cartoons and examine both historical and modern examples. They analyze a cartoon that expresses an opinion about a current event different than their own and develop an original cartoon...
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Political Cartoons and Dr. Seuss
Students study political cartoons by Dr. Seuss. They create their own political cartoons on a current event.
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Interpreting Political Cartoons
Students review political cartoons and discuss what political impact they can have. They choose a current political cartoon and write an essay exploring its intent and impact.
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The Way Editorial Cartoons Work
Twelfth graders interpret visual language found in political cartoons.
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Declaration of Independence
Eleventh graders interpret and analyze political cartoons. In this primary source analysis activity, 11th graders examine the implications of Industrialization as they respond to questions regarding selected political cartoons about the...
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Bioterrorism
High schoolers research bioterrorism and then create two political cartoons, one that shows the viewpoint that bioterrorism is not a threat and one that shows the viewpoint that it is.
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Political Cartoons
Students explain that a political cartoon is very much like an editorial--both present personal opinions. Each student writes an editorial that supports the political cartoon. They must analyze the cartoon in order to write about the...
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Asian Americans and U.S.-Asia Relations
Students identify through research perceptions towards Asians widely held by the American public through the analysis of political cartoons from the 1940s and 1990s.
Library of Congress
Loc: Herblock's Presidents
Historically significant collection of political cartoons featuring U.S. Presidents from Library of Congress online teacher-student resources.