Many of today's political cartoons feature crude language, racy images, and inappropriate slurs to capture attention and get a point across. Thomas Nast did not need such things to make his point. Thomas Nast, a civil war era political cartoonist, found political cartoons, particularly the symbolism within them, to be a good use of his voice for the Union, and worked to recruit, persuade and publicize the goals of the Union. Thomas Nast used this symbolism to vocalize support for the Union and the political parties he supported by creating images everyone could relate to to voice strong opinions. Thomas Nast’s symbolism in his political cartoons depicted the Northern American’s worldview around the time of the Civil War.
Because of a sense of patriotism, whether to the Union or Confederacy and regardless of political party, Columbia, the female cartoon embodiment of America, suddenly became what people were fighting for. This concept of male and female America first appeared in Britain with the introduction of John Bull and Britannia. However, these characters were adopted and transformed into the American Uncle Sam and Columbia. Uncle Sam was a strong, noble, patriotic figure that people could fight “alongside.” Columbia, on the other hand, was the “motherland” figure, and was to uphold the morals and democratic promise of …show more content…
The political cartoons of the civil war era were riddled with symbolism, especially of animals and Columbia, the female representation of the United States. This symbolism aided Thomas Nast in using his voice and talent to vocalize support for his opinions and the opinions of the North by giving people someone to fight for and creating a sense of chaos and disunity with his images of animals. Symbolism makes a stronger case than crude images. Culture and worldview shines more thoroughly in thoughtful
Because of a sense of patriotism, whether to the Union or Confederacy and regardless of political party, Columbia, the female cartoon embodiment of America, suddenly became what people were fighting for. This concept of male and female America first appeared in Britain with the introduction of John Bull and Britannia. However, these characters were adopted and transformed into the American Uncle Sam and Columbia. Uncle Sam was a strong, noble, patriotic figure that people could fight “alongside.” Columbia, on the other hand, was the “motherland” figure, and was to uphold the morals and democratic promise of …show more content…
The political cartoons of the civil war era were riddled with symbolism, especially of animals and Columbia, the female representation of the United States. This symbolism aided Thomas Nast in using his voice and talent to vocalize support for his opinions and the opinions of the North by giving people someone to fight for and creating a sense of chaos and disunity with his images of animals. Symbolism makes a stronger case than crude images. Culture and worldview shines more thoroughly in thoughtful