Curriculum Guide: The President’s Travels

Curriculum Guide: The President’s TravelsUnit 8 of 19:Political Peanuts – Cartoons Inspired by President Carter441 Freedom Parkway, Atlanta, GA, 30312 404-865-7100 www.jimmycarterlibrary.gov

Political Peanuts:Lesson Plans and Activities Based onCartoons Inspired by President Jimmy CarterBackground on Political CartoonsThe influential threads of political cartoons havebeen woven into the fabric of our society since around thethmid 18 century and they continue to influence societyeven today. The cliché says that “A picture is worth athousand words.” Combining politics, journalism and art,political cartoons allow the artist to supersede the writtenword. Political cartoons are a great teaching tool forstudying historical or current events and thereforeHistory SnippetThe cartoon below is oftenregarded as one of the firstpolitical cartoons. It was drawn byBenjamin Franklin years before theAmerican Revolution. The cartoonwent on to be a call for colonies tounite and come together as oneagainst the British Crown duringthe American Revolution.incorporated into Social Science curriculums across thenation. Since some political cartoons were created in thepast, when the events they reflect actually occurred,they reflect the zeitgeist of the period. Cartoons thatmeet this criteria are considered primary sources whichalways enhance student learning. Political cartoons alsohelp teach and promote analytical skills and higher orderthinking skills (H.O.T.S.) which lead students to agreater depth of knowledge.Benjamin Franklin’s Snake or “Join or Die”was first published in his PennsylvaniaGazette on May 9, 1754

More on Political CartoonsThe National Archives has a dynamic virtual exhibit on political cartoons. “The politicalcartoons in this exhibit, drawn by renowned cartoonist Clifford K. Berryman, illustrate thecampaign process from the candidate’s decision to run for office to the ultimate outcome of theelection. Although many political procedures have changed, these cartoons show that thepolitical process has remained remarkably consistent and remain relevant today.” Berryman’spolitical cartoon’s spanned from 1898 - 1948. Those featured in the exhibit are only a part of acollection of over 2,000 of Berryman’s other works. Visit the virtual exhibit at the followinglink: e/ The Library of Congress alsohas great resources for both teachers and students. These and other resources are listed on thenext pages.Food for ThoughtAmerican cartoonist Jules Ralph Feiffer once said, “Outside of basic intelligence, there isnothing more important to a good political cartoonist than ill will.” While political cartoonscan consist of scathing visuals infused with both obvious and subliminal messages, politicalcartoons are still important tools for students studying various aspects of social or politicalhistory.A family portrait of sorts inspired By PresidentCarter’s Inauguration Signed by artist JonKennedy of the Arkansas Democrat, 1-21-77

Resource Guide for Analyzing Political CartoonsThe Library of CongressIt's No Laughing Matter: Analyzing Political al-cartoon/ (Link to the Library of Congress’ teacher resource home pagefor analyzing political her guide.pdf (Great “handbook” for analyzing political Cartoonsfrom the Teacher’s Guide Primary Source res/political cartoon/index.html (Here you will find interactive activities for students to explore the differentpersuasive techniques political cartoonists use and additional guidelines arysources/guides.html(Designed to help teachers with both the analysis of political cartoons and primaryresources)U.S. National Archives and Records essons/worksheets/cartoon analysis worksheet.pdf (Political Cartoon Analysis Worksheet/Form)Shaking Things Up!A political cartoon depicting PresidentCarter’s governmental reorganization.(Basset: Post Herald 12/12/1977)

Resource Guide for Analyzing Political Cartoons(con’t)PBS: NEWSHOUR EXTRA: Analyzing Political /lessonplans/socialstudies/Vote2004/cartoons %20analysis3.pdf (Lesson Plan w/sample cartoons)Read Write cal-794.html (Political cartoon lesson plans andresources)Peer iles/D97CE0B1B94A41B7B4ACB727777E2B7C.pdf (Excellent resource created by veteran teacher G. MichaelHymas includes a brief history, lesson plan, and analysis sheet on politicalcartoons)More Food for Thought:Influential American cartoonist, animator, director and producerJoseph Barbera once said “I first pitched the idea of doing a seriesof cartoons based on Bible stories. They didn't much like it.” -Bearer of Good NewsCharacterizing the tension of thetimes "Gentlemen There IsNothing but Good News ComingOut of Camp David" depicts aCaricature of Press SecretaryJody Powell. The cartoon wascreated by artist Bob Taylor(Dallas Times Herald)in 1978

3POLITICAL CPg.ARTOONS101:GETTING STUDENTS OFF TO A GOOD STARTKnow the pulse ofyour studentsbefore diving intothe study ofpolitical cartoons!The teacher must lay a firm foundation for students to master the skill of analyzingpolitical cartoons. As with any other skill or concept students must be given exposure andpractice turns working with political cartoons in order to master the skill of analyzingand interpreting political cartoons. Utilize the lessons found on the links located on theresource page to facilitate students gaining the skills and knowledge necessary toanalyze, interpret, and even create political cartoons. It is up to the teacher to find themost appropriate lesson(s) for your students. Students new to political cartoons willdefinitely need to analyze several examples of current and pass political cartoons tosharpen their skills.Before students delve in to the world of political cartoons they should be afforded thetime to learn the basic history of political cartoons and the various techniques artists usewithin the cartoons such as symbolism and exaggeration. Students should also be given asystem or method for analyzing political cartoons. These things can be accomplished in amini-lesson or full class period.The components of the instruction, lessons and activities outlined below can beimplemented in various ways and at various points of a standards based three part lessonwith the bulk of the work being done by the student during their work time. They can alsobe used in conjunction and incorporation of Marzano’s 9 High Yield Strategies (Marzano,Pickering & Pollock , 2001)which includes cooperative learning and homework.

POLITICAL CARTOONS 101:GETTING STUDENTS OFF TO A GOOD STARTHave students gather current political cartoons based on specific topics you select or givestudents the autonomy to select for themselveso (Examples can be found in newspapers and other periodicals or at Daryl Cagle’swww.politicalcartoons.com or MSNBC’s http://www.cagle.com/politicalcartoons/and many other internet sources)o Have students begin by doing a comprehensive analysis of the cartoon utilizingone or a combination of the political cartoon analysis documents cited on theResource Guide for Analyzing Political Cartoons. The document is available in PDFat the following link: Document Analysis Formo Assign students to demonstrate their understanding of the cartoon they selectedby preparing a brief presentation on the cartoon they selected in which thehighlight the following information: The artist and source of the cartoon The topic(s) of focus depicted in the cartoon The message/position of the cartoon Examples of 2 or more components of political cartoons used by the artist(see the political cartoon component resource)o Some visual/artistic students may want to draw their own political cartoonsDrawn in 1977,the politicalcartoon on the lefton the subject ofU.S. energyconsumptionremains everrelevant today.The cartoondepicts PresidentCarter and JamesSchlesinger theUnited States’ firstSecretary ofEnergy.

VOCABULARY BUILDER:TERMS RELATED TO POLITICAL CARTOONSFill in the blank with the best corresponding term for the definition.1. - Comparison by identifying similarities between otherwiseunlike things e.g., peanut:peanut butter::grape:jelly2. - A doubtful attitude about the situation or issue3. - To come before something or someone or to take theposition4. -The general intellectual, moral, and cultural climate of an era5. - The amount of weapons a country has6. - Very severe. A news report7. - To be composed or made up-usually used with the word “of”8. - A conclusion or opinion that is formed from facts orevidence9. - Illustration or comic strip containing a political orsocial message10. - A cartoon, speech or other document created orotherwise produced during the time under studyPresident Carter faced a lot ofopposition during his Presidentialterm. In this political cartoon entitled“Love At First Sight” the artist DraperHill depicts the challenges PresidentCarter and his political agenda facedfrom the legislature.

VOCABULARY BUILDER:TERMS RELATED TO POLITICAL CARTOONSFill in the blank with the best corresponding term for the definition.1. - Comparison by identifying similarities between otherwiseunlike things e.g., peanut : peanut butter :: grape : jelly2. - A doubtful attitude about the situation or issue3. - To come before something or someone or to take theposition4. -The general intellectual, moral, and cultural climate of an era5. - The amount of weapons a country has6. - Very severe. A news report7. - To be composed or made up-usually used with the word “of”8. - A conclusion or opinion that is formed from facts orevidence9. - Illustration or comic strip containing a politicalor social message10. - A cartoon, speech or other document created orotherwise produced during the time under studyWord Bankpolitical cartoonarmamentprimary itgeistsupersede

Analyzing PoliticalCartoons Inspired byPresident Jimmy Carter

1. PRESIDENT CARTER TAKING HIS ENERGY PLANTO THE PEOPLEPresident Carter as the biblical Moses holding tabletslabeled "Energy/Plan". On the mountain below is acrowd of people looking at a "Golden Car" on apedestal. Signed by artist Mason N. his cartoon portrays the skepticism and scrutinyPresident Carter’s avant garde energy plan faced.President Carter touted his plan as the “moralequivalent of war”.2. PRESIDENT CARTER AND HIS ENERGY ARKSigned by artist Bob Artley, "To PresidentCarter/with Best Wishes for/Continued success/BobArtley." Worthington (Minnesota) Daily Globe 419-77This cartoon also addresses the skepticism andopposition President Carter’s energy plan faced.3. PRESIDENT CARTER “BUCKING” U.S. FUELCONSUMPTIONAlthough this political cartoon by Draper Hill of TheDetroit News was drawn in 1977 it is still quiterelevant. The cartoon depicts President Carter

4. IRANIAN ARMS WISH LISTIn this cartoon (1979) Hugh Smith Haynie,who was a political cartoonist forLouisville’s Courier-Journal, depictsPresident Carter’s delicate and complicatedarms sale relationship with the Shah of Iran.5. “He Dares” PRESIDENT CARTER AT THE BARGAINING TABLESalt II and Human Rights “He Dares” Carter at table with USSR on Salt Talks. Carter wearing a large“HumanRights” Button. By Al Liederman, copyright 1977 Long Island PressThe SALT(Strategic Arms Limitation Talks) were a pair of bilateral negotiations involving the United Statesand the Soviet Union—the Cold War superpowers—on the issue of armament control . from 1977 to 1979President Carter was involved with round two of the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks known as SALT II.Leonid Brezhnev was the U.S.S.R. leader of the time.