Final answer:
Political cartoons from the Reconstruction to Cold War eras were designed to provoke fear and shape public perception on issues like labor movements and communism. The reception of these cartoons varied widely among the American public.
Step-by-step explanation:
The "work-or-fight" political cartoon, along with others mentioned, can be seen as a reflection of the various periods' sentiments and as a means to invoke certain emotions, typically fear, among the public. During the Reconstruction era, such imagery indicated a politically tense atmosphere where labor strikes evoked fear of a slippery slope toward Bolshevism and chaos. The reception of this image would vary; supporters of labor might feel anger or concern, while opponents might feel validated in their fears. Post-WWII propaganda like Is This Tomorrow? aimed to instill fear of communism and the potential horrors it could bring upon Americans, suggesting an existential threat and rallying support for anti-communist efforts.
Political cartoons against organized labor often portrayed workers in a negative light. A depiction of a man contributing to a labor association instead of his family could make viewers question the legitimacy and impact of unions, potentially eliciting feelings of anger or disdain towards organized labor. During WWI, conscientious objectors faced prejudices, depicted as 'effete' in certain cartoons, which could make the public view them with distrust or contempt.
These depictions have layers of complexity; some may have been taken seriously while others were seen with skepticism. Critics argue that the intention of such cartoons during the Cold War was to promote fear to prevent questioning of the status quo, though not all the public heeded these messages. Instead, the American response also included practical measures like building bomb shelters.