Cartoons serve as a particularly wonderful and powerful glimpse into the past. Throughout the history of print media, they have provided a unique way to criticize, cajole or condemn people and events by using symbol and satire to convey a broad point. Cartoons provide valuable insight into popular attitudes because the point had to be comprehensible to a wide range of viewers for the cartoon to be successful. In order to get the “joke,” then, the reader has to know the historical context. One must also know where the cartoon appeared originally to understand its full historical significance.

Cartoons about women can reveal a great deal about what behavior by women brought criticism, caricature or distortion. They often provide a window onto changing gender roles and what was deemed acceptable or outrageous behavior. As women became published cartoonists, it is valuable to note what in their environment they found funny, how they conveyed their criticism and contempt, and what actions drew their fire and their pens.

	Teacher Notes contain: Overview of the primary source type Skill focus Directions for conducting the lesson Teacher Notes for Cartoons
	Student Activity Sheet contains: Small group or individual study activities for the primary source type Application and follow-up activities Student Activity Sheet for Cartoons
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Anti-Semitic cartoon, 1881

Sketches of the Henry St. Settlement, 1934

Political cartoon, Racial Discrimination Case, 1951