The Chinese in California, 1850-1925
In a hurry? Save or print these Collection Connections as a single file.
Go directly to the collection, The Chinese in California, 1850-1925, in American Memory, or view a Summary of Resources related to the collection.
Historical Analysis and Interpretation: Historical Cartoons
This collection contains countless editorial cartoons from San Francisco's Wasp and Wave and New York's Harper's Weekly. They provide interesting opportunities to analyze and interpret imagery, drawing upon your understanding of the history of Chinese immigration to the United States. Search on cartoons for hundreds of images. Select three or four of them to analyze, using the following questions.
- What are the main symbols in each cartoon?
- Whom or what do they represent?
- What questions do you have after looking at the cartoon?
- What information would you need to answer these questions?
- What action, relationship, or comparison is depicted?
- What is the overall message of the cartoon?
When you have formulated an interpretation of the meaning of each cartoon, put it into your own words in as few sentences as possible.
- What are the benefits and limitations of communicating in words and in symbolic imagery?
- How have editorial cartoons changed since the nineteenth century?