WHAT ARE POLITICAL CARTOONS? A POLITICAL CARTOON IS A TYPE OF DRAWING USED TO PRESENT OPINIONS, COMMENTS, OR CRITICISMS OF A SITUATION, PERSON, OR EVENT. CARTOONS HELP US UNDERSTAND INFORMATION BY PRESENTING IT IN A VISUAL AND MEMORABLE WAY. CARTOONISTS USE MANY DIFFERENT TECHNIQUES TO ACHIEVE THEIR G O A L S : INFERENCING SAMPLE POLITICAL CARTOON MAKING “INFERENCES” 1. We need to find clues to get some answers. 2. We need to add those clues to what we already know or have read. 3. There can be more than one correct answer. 4. We need to be able to support inferences. **What is the message from the picture? TACOS • Time: When was this document created? I always remind them that they are not looking for the setting of the cartoon, rather when do they think the author created it? What clues in the picture can help you figure it out? • Action: What is going on in the picture? What are people doing/saying? • Caption: Write down all the words or text that you see in the picture (captions, thought bubbles, labels, etc.) What does the cartoon label say? What do you think it means? • Objects: List everything that is visible in the picture. Watch out – the kids can get very specific on this one! • Summary/So what?: What does this have to do with real life? What does this mean? Why is this important THE SCRAMBLE FOR AFRICA The scramble for Africa took place from 1880--‐1914. European nations sought to gain wealth by creating colonies in Africa by controlling the ivory, gold, and diamonds from Africa Many of the indigenous people would die from warfare and diseases and the empires Grew wealthy. Railroads allowed for much faster growth and expansion, other inventions allowed for faster mining and more deadly warfare. The competition and distrust over expansion into Africa spilled into politics in Europe. Many of the monarchs were related and the formation of alliances and militarism eventually Led to war. BEFORE EUROPEAN AFTER EUROPEAN COLONIZATION COLONIZATION “The Rhodes Colossus, Striding From Cape Town to Cairo,” 1892 .