Background Information
Political cartoons, also known as editorial cartoons, date back to the mid-1700s, however they differed greatly from contemporary cartoons in regards to their subject matter and overall message. Political cartoons can be crude, humorous, taboo, and honest, but most important in my opinion, they can, and often do, mirror the emotions and opinions felt by many in society.
During the Cold War, when a great divide existed in the world and emotions rang high, artists like Edwin Marcus and Lute Pease were able to convey the attitudes and feelings that many Americans were perhaps afraid to express. I refer to these two gentleman as 'artists' as opposed to 'cartoonists' because they were able to do so much more than simply produce a humorous image. These two men, and others, were able to capture into a compact, single, image, the emotions and opinions felt by millions throughout America and really, throughout the entire world.
During the Cold War, when a great divide existed in the world and emotions rang high, artists like Edwin Marcus and Lute Pease were able to convey the attitudes and feelings that many Americans were perhaps afraid to express. I refer to these two gentleman as 'artists' as opposed to 'cartoonists' because they were able to do so much more than simply produce a humorous image. These two men, and others, were able to capture into a compact, single, image, the emotions and opinions felt by millions throughout America and really, throughout the entire world.