Guided Primary Source Analysis: Everybody’s Doing It!

Everybody's doing it!
Powers, Thomas E. “Everybody’s doing it!” 1912 Mar. 30. New York American. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.

Zoom into a larger image of this political cartoon. What is the setting of this cartoon? Make a list of details that you see. Then describe the story that you think this source tells using the details you noted as evidence.

Now read the summary and notes in the bibliographic record. What more did you learn? Do you think the artist was successful in getting his point across? Why or why not?

Create a political cartoon that relates to federal, state or local government today, keeping the title, “Everybody’s Doing It!” Before you begin, check out this resource to learn more about the art of cartooning.

What other observations, reflections or questions does this source inspire? Let us know!