POLITICS IN THE GILDED AGE: POLITICAL CARTOON PROJECT

OBJECTIVES:
Students will be examining the political climate of the United States during the Gilded Age by
researching political cartoons published during a presidential election of their choice from 18761892.Political cartoons are invaluable to historians and students of history, as they reveal social,
political and economic currents at work during the time period under study.
Materials:
http://www.harpweek.com/
Directions:
1.Students need to select The Presidential Elections: as Depicted as Political Cartoons (18601912)
2.Students should drag their mouse over one of the following elections

1876: Tilden vs. Hayes

1880: Garfield vs. Hanock
1884: Cleveland vs. Blaine
1888: Harrison vs. Cleveland
1892: Cleveland vs. Harrison vs. Weaver

3.Once the menu appears students will be given four choices Overview, Cartoons, Biographies,
and Events. Before students analyze any of the cartoons, they need to understand the context of
the election, so they need to select Overview. Students need to read the overview for
understanding (there are two pages). Next the students need to go to Biographies and read the
individual biographies of the candidates involved in the election.
4.Once students finish reading, they need to browse the list of cartoons and select two (one
representing each of the political parties in the presidential race). Students should analyze their
cartoon by reading the text of the cartoon and the context given about it. If there are additional
characters in the cartoons that are unfamiliar after completing the necessary background raeding,
students should quickly research about them to better understand the cartoon.
5. Students will need to write a one-page paper for their submission. Students need to address the
following prompts in complete thoughts and ideas:
A. What is the overall meaning of the political cartoon?
B. How does the overall message of the cartoon favor one party or the other? Why
(specifically from the cartoon)?

C. What conclusions can we draw about politics in the Gilded Age from the cartoon?
Explain.
NOTE: In order to score higher points, student must demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and
understanding of their political cartoons and the broader political climate in the Gilded Age.
Answers must also be relevant and descriptions are accurate demonstrating a high degree of
conceptual ability.