Final answer:
The anti-suffragist movement utilized political cartoons and propaganda to portray suffragists negatively, employing tactics of ridicule and fearmongering. These cartoons depicted the suffragist struggle and revealed societal fears over changing gender roles. Early suffragist successes were particularly notable in western states of the U.S.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of women's suffrage and political cartoons, the subject often revolves around the sentiment and messaging during the campaign for and against women's right to vote. The portrayal of politicians and women activists in the materials suggests that the struggle was not only about the legal right to vote but also about the challenging of existing social norms and stereotypes. Cartoons and propaganda played a significant role in this, often negatively depicting the suffragists or trivializing their cause. These messages were part of a broader anti-suffragist campaign that employed ridicule and fearmongering as tactics to sway public opinion.
According to the information provided, such as 'The Awakening' figure, we can infer that women experienced early success in gaining suffrage in the western parts of the United States. This challenges the traditional eastward notion of American progress and highlights the role western states played in pioneering women's voting rights. The suffrage movement faced significant opposition from various segments of society, including those who would write to newspapers, characterizing women in politics as inappropriate and unsuitable.
Feminist artists and activists used graphic design to comment on these societal attitudes and to push back against restrictive gender roles. The cartoons serve as historical documentation of the resistance felt by early suffragists and the cultural perceptions of women at the time.