Gilded Age Political Cartoon

Political cartoons were extremely popular in the Gilded Age of the United States (1865-1912). During this time, many people affected by the major monopoly industries of oil, railroad and steel believed that it should be considered illegal for it to continue. This led many cartoonists to create political cartoons that visually described their plight. All the cartoons of that time followed a specific format. They all consisted of a picture that used symbolism to represent the situation, and a few words to further clarify the portrayal. Two men that were mocked often, were entrepreneurs John D. Rockefeller and Cornelius “Commodore” Vanderbilt; business magnates in the oil and railroad industry, respectively. In one of the satires, cartoonist Udo …show more content…
The octopus’s tentacles represent the far-reaching influence of the company. Not only is it influencing, but also controlling. In one tentacle, it is grasping the U.S. Capitol, in another the State Building, in yet another one of its arms, it is clutching the shipping industry as well as the steel/copper industry. To top it all off, it is reaching towards the White House. This is truly an ingenious way of showing the power of Standard Oil, because it was actually very close to what was happening. Standard oil had a strong grip on shipping industries, because Standard Oil produced the majority of the exported oil. In fact, by 1904, more oil was being exported than was being used in the U.S. The steel industry was also dependent on Standard Oil, as steel was used to lay the tracks for railroads that were used mainly for the transport of oil. If Standard Oil stopped producing oil, then train traffic would decrease, leading to the decline of the need for steel tracks. Not only did Standard Oil control other industries, it also controlled the government. The Vanderbilt cartoon with him stepping on the eagle is a representation of Vanderbilt trampling upon the workers of America. The dogs chained to his shirt, named Congress and Legislature are representing the hold that he had on the government. Smoking the pipe and wearing the jewel are supposed to mean that he is enjoying his …show more content…
Although Opper’s “The Public be D--ned” is a great representation of the Vanderbilt’s attitude towards the public, The Standard Oil Octopus is much better at describing the oil industry. Keppler doesn’t waste any part of his picture. Everything that is drawn has a meaning. Even the background, where the extra tentacles are represent how it is reaching over the ocean to other countries as well. The desk in the other drawing is unnecessary, as well as the objects on the desk. This, as well as the fact that the Opper relied more on the written part of his drawing made Keppler’s cartoon a better