Zoom into a more detailed image of this cartoon. Using only the details from the cartoon, what main point do you think the cartoonist was trying to make. For help reading cartoons, review It’s No Laughing Matter. Then review the cartoon's source record and this definition of carpetbagger. What insights into this cartoon does this new information provide you with? What questions do you still have? Compare and contrast this cartoon with this sheet music from 1868. Explain how you think each … [Read more...]
Guided Primary Source Analysis: A coldness between them
March 4, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Look at a more detailed image of this cartoon. Without conducting any further research, what can you infer about these two men just by looking closing at the cartoon's details? Collaborate with others to find out more about the controversy surrounding the two men depicted in this cartoon. What details, if any, from the cartoon are referenced in the historical newspaper articles? Relay what else you learned. Now investigate other primary sources related to Cook and Peary. Explain your view … [Read more...]
Guided Primary Source Analysis: Great presidential puzzle
February 10, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Look carefully at this political cartoon. What can you determine just from the information above? Now review the cartoon's bibliographic record and find out about the Stalwarts and the Half-Breeds by investigating the links below. After, describe new insights you now have about this political cartoon. The 1880 Presidential Election HarpWeek The Half-Breeds versus the Stalwarts from Chronology of the U.S. Presidency, Volume 1 The Stalwarts & the Half-Breeds from Building a New … [Read more...]
Guided Primary Source Analysis: Footrace, Pennsylvania Avenue
July 29, 2014 by Leave a Comment
According to the summary of this political cartoon, who were the three candidates for president in 1844? What was the president's salary at this time? What is the president's salary now? According to the cartoon summary, who is the favored contender? What details in the cartoon—positioning, symbols, text labels—support this view? Use the Primary Source Nexus search box to find information about the candidates to learn who won the 1844 presidential election. What other observations, … [Read more...]
Guided Primary Source Analysis: Concerning the American Girl
May 30, 2014 by Leave a Comment
List the different career paths illustrated in this political cartoon. Did any surprise you? Why or why not? Political cartoons often contain irony. What example of irony do you find in this political cartoon? (If you need help, review the post Analyzing Primary Sources: Reading Cartoons.) What do you think were the "old ideals" of womanhood in 1904? What would you tell someone are the "old ideals" of womanhood today? Work with a partner or small group to re-create this cartoon for … [Read more...]
Featured Source: The Gerry-mander
February 6, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Curator's note In 1812, Jeffersonian Republicans forced through the Massachusetts legislature a bill rearranging district lines to assure them an advantage in the upcoming senatorial elections. Although Governor Elbridge Gerry had only reluctantly signed the law, a Federalist editor is said to have exclaimed upon seeing the new district lines, "Salamander! Call it a Gerrymander." This cartoon-map first appeared in the Boston Gazette for March 26, 1812. … [Read more...]
Guided Primary Source Analysis: The Kidnappers
September 19, 2013 by Leave a Comment
There are 7 scenes in this political cartoon; take a look at them in greater detail in this .pdf document. What do they all have in common? Review the summary from the bibliographic record. What more did you learn? The cartoon's center scene featuring Theodore Roosevelt could be viewed right side up or upside down. How does the perspective of the scene change when you view it upside down as compared to right side up? Click the links below to read an historic newspaper article and a letter … [Read more...]
Guided Primary Source Analysis: Poor Illinois!
April 9, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Use the Primary Source Nexus search box to look for more information about the Haymarket anarchists. Describe and explain something that you discovered. Use the Primary Source Nexus search box to look for more information about Peter Altgeld. Describe and explain his relationship to the Haymarket anarchists. Read the story, "Bloody Battle at a Coal Mine" published in The Salt Lake Herald (Salt Lake City [Utah), 13 Oct. 1898. What insights into the political cartoon does the article give … [Read more...]
Learning from the Source: Perspectives on U.S. Expansion
January 10, 2013 by Leave a Comment
At the turn of the 20th century Admiral George Dewey, Pacific naval commander, became a veritable American hero for his role in the Spanish-American war. While United States foreign policy was focused on global expansion, not everyone believed it was a good idea. The Philippines, certainly, were not keen on U.S. imperialism and continued to fight for control of the country until 1902 (Spain "awarded" the Philippines to the United States for $20 million under the 1898 Treaty of Paris). Use the … [Read more...]
Evening Sky Map April, 1912. Check out this 
April Fools’ Day celebrated . Check out our