Political Cartoon - W.J. Enright

A political cartoon depicting the economic impact of World War I on ordinary people back home

Historical Period

America and a World at War

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11 Analysis questions 3 Vocabulary Words

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About

Wars impact people on the homefront just as they affect soldiers on the battlefield. In this political cartoon, Walter J. Enright, who was a former captain of the U.S. Army during World War I, shows how war and its economic accomplices—cost of living and taxes—threatened the ordinary public back home.

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Political Cartoon - W.J. Enright

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Analysis Questions

Foster inquiry and understanding with these source-specific questions, designed to be accessible even for those with limited background knowledge.

say hello to the source

1

What do you notice about this document?
2

What kind of document is this? Who created it?
3

What questions do you have about this cartoon?

make observations

4

How are each of the characters in the political cartoon different? What are they wearing? What are they carrying?
5

What are the characters’ facial expressions?

interpret what you see

6

It appears that the smaller man has been ambushed by the three larger men and cannot get away easily. What do you think this represents in terms of the war?
7

The man in the suit is carrying a basket with food. What do you think the food represents? What "threatens" the food in the cartoon?
8

The cartoon was created by Walter J. Enright during World War I. How does Enright depict public frustration about the costs associated with the war?

use it as evidence

9

Do you think Enright supported or opposed U.S. participation in the war? What makes you think so?
10

How might the cartoon be used by someone arguing that wars are not felt only by the soldiers on the frontlines of combat?
11

Could this political cartoon be created today and still be relevant? What details from the cartoon support your point of view?

Vocabulary

Use these related vocabulary terms to build students’ understanding and support more meaningful discussions and learning outcomes in your classroom.

Definition

to attack from a hidden place

Example

After waiting for hours in the swamp, the enemy suddenly jumped out and ambushed the soldiers.

Definition

to portray or represent, as in a work of art

Example

The country’s leader was depicted in the painting as a foolish clown.

Definition

a large international war involving many countries throughout the world and fought between the Allied Powers and the Central Powers (1914–1918)

Example

During World War I, new weapons like machine guns and poison gas changed the way battles were fought.

Citation & Details

Citations

Creator: Walter J. 'Pat' Enright
Point of Origin: United States
Object Identifier #: 2017.118.265
Alt Text: Illustration by Walter J. 'Pat' Enright. The political cartoon shows a small man walking on wooden path carrying a basket of produce. He is stopped by three large men. A man with club has WAR written on his vest, a man covering his face in the back has CO

Sources used to create the comprehension questions include:

National WWI Museum and Memorial. (n.d.). Illustration by Walter J. ‘Pat’ Enright. https://collections.theworldwar.org/argus/final/Portal/Default.aspx?component=AAAS&record=8ee073fb-f0de-4db1-821e-6ad4d9dfd88e

The New York Times. (n.d.). Walter J. Enright, 93, Dies; Former Political Cartoonist. https://www.nytimes.com/1969/01/20/archives/walter-j-enright-93-dies-former-political-cartoonist.html