Work with political cartoons

Practice describing and contextualizing political cartoons

73 other teachers use this template

Subjects

EnglishHistoryPolitics

Preview

Work with political cartoons

1. The main topic of the cartoon appears to be the imperialist partition of China by foreign powers at the end of the 19th century.

2. The cartoon was published on January 16, 1898, in "Le petit journal" and is titled “En Chine Le gâteau des Rois et... des Empereurs” by Henri Meyer.

3. Henri Meyer was the cartoonist who created this image. He worked for "Le petit journal," which was a French daily newspaper that pioneered the use of illustrations, especially in the realm of political cartoons. Meyer was known for his caricatures depicting political and social themes of the day.

4. "Le petit journal" catered to a wide audience and was designed to be accessible to the general public, which often meant that it leaned towards more sensational stories and illustrations. Identifying its precise political orientation can be challenging as it covered a broad spectrum of stories. However, during the time of the cartoon’s publication, "Le petit journal" was seen as generally conservative and nationalistic in its orientation.

5. Describe the details of the caricature:

**Category 1:**

- In the foreground of the cartoon, we see a large pie labeled "Chine" (China) suggesting that the land and resources of China are being divided like a pie among different entities.
- Surrounding the pie, there are various figures that represent different national powers, their attire and insignia indicative of their respective countries. The individuals are wielding knives, ready to cut into the pie, signifying the slicing up of Chinese territory for their own interests.
- The figure to the left wearing a crown is indicative of the British monarchy, illustrating Great Britain’s interest in China.
- The soldier in the center with a mustache represents Germany, as suggested by his distinct Pickelhaube helmet and military uniform.
- The figure on the right who is holding a knife wears a sash and military gear that is emblematic of France.
- The man on the far right, closest to us, characterized by his glasses, traditional Qing-era queue hairstyle, and Asian features, represents China.
- The map/pie has place names written on it, such as "Port Arthur," which was a contested port city during the period of imperial interests in China.

**Category 2:**

- *The figure behind the British monarch could be indicative of another European power involved in the exploitation of China, possibly Russia, given the facial hair and hat which resemble the Russian imperial style of that era.*
- *The figure wielding a fan behind the Chinese character is also intricately dressed, potentially personifying the ruling Qing dynasty, raising his hand in a gesture of distress or protest.*
- *The facial expressions of the imperial powers are intent and serious, showcasing their determined approach to dividing China, while the Chinese man's expression seems more resigned and despondent, perhaps expressing China's weakened position and inability to resist the carve-up.*
- *The use of color in the cartoon is quite vivid, with the characters dressed in bright attire, contrasting with the grey backdrop, possibly to draw more attention to them and their actions.*
- The shading and intricate details in the clothing suggest the opulence and power of the Western figures, while the Chinese figure is drawn with a more simplistic style, perhaps to emphasize the perceived imbalance of power.

The overall composition of the image, with its dramatic personifications and vivid use of caricatures, clearly communicates the theme of European and Japanese imperial ambitions in China. The exaggerated features and attire serve as a satirical representation of the political situation and the attitudes of the involved nations.

"En Chine Le gâteau des Rois et... des Empereurs" - Henri Meyer - "Le petit journal" - 16.01.1898

Analyzing political cartoons

First, take a close look at the different parts of the cartoon. Notice the people, animals, objects, and other details you can see. Pay attention to the facial expressions and body language of the characters. Don't forget to include any text in the cartoon, like speech bubbles or captions.

Next, it's time to understand the cartoon in its historical context. Gather extra information like the title of the cartoon, the name of the artist, where and when it was created and published, and what the cartoon is about.