Question

Today, you will create TWO political cartoons that demonstrate your understanding of the Gilded Age. One political cartoon or collage should demonstrate the positives of the Gilded Age, and the other should demonstrate the negatives of the Gilded Age. If you are choosing to do the collage it should be created using G slides. Each cartoon or collage must have a written or typed description of it detailing what it means and why you chose to use or draw those specific pictures. Each description must be between JUST 3-5 sentences. Just Screen shot of every thing if it is digital, but if it is on paper then take a picture.

Answer 1

Political Cartoon number 1: “Protectors of our Industries” was created by Bernhard Gilliam and published by Kepler and Schwarzman in The Puck, a satirical magazine. It was released in 1883, six years before the Johnstown Flood (Gilliam 1883). The cartoon depicts the outrageous inequalities that ravaged the Gilded Age. In the image, wealthy businessmen sit on top of a raft that is held up by various types of workers. The businessmen cling to their money, while the workers struggle beneath them. This image captures the public’s frustration with the parasitic power dynamic between the industrial giants and the working class. Businessmen commonly exploited their workers, forcing them to shoulder horrendous and often dangerous working conditions, while experiencing no such circumstances themselves. In the aftermath of the Johnstown Flood, this power dynamic was fundamental to the public’s anger. It was especially infuriating that the figures who were responsible for the disaster were already exploiting many of the victims in the first place, yet faced no consequences for either crime.

Political Cartoon number 2: “Bosses of the Senate” was created by Joseph Kepler and also published in The Puck on January 23, 1889, less than five months before the Johnstown Flood. This image was heavily circulated in the media (Kepler 1889). It depicts large, overindulgent businessmen representing their corporate interests as they loom over tiny senators. The sign behind the businessmen reads, “This is the Senate of the Monopolists by the Monopolists for the Monopolists.” Businessmen had an overwhelming political influence during the Gilded Age. America’s legal system was corrupt and essentially useless, since dominating industrial interests undermined any pursuit of justice. Despite often acting unfairly and even illegally, businessmen were often able to evade consequences. This corruption became evident in the aftermath of the Johnstown Flood. Despite evidence of their guilt, the South Fork Fishing Club members took advantage of their considerable wealth and influence to avoid any legal liability.

Step-by-step explanation:

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