DRAWING DISSENT
The History, Purpose, and Power of Political Cartoons
June 11, 2025
Long before social media memes and talk radio rants, the political cartoon reigned supreme as the most potent weapon in the war of ideas. With nothing but ink and outrage, cartoonists could bring down corrupt machines, mock the mighty, and give the public a voice where words sometimes failed.
And they still do.
From Benjamin Franklin’s “Join, or Die” to today’s viral digital sketches, political cartoons have served one enduring purpose: to expose power, challenge lies, and make people think—sometimes with a smirk, sometimes with a sting.
A Snake and a Message
The American tradition of political cartooning began not with a joke, but a warning.
In 1754, Benjamin Franklin published a crude but powerful image in his Pennsylvania Gazette: a snake, chopped into pieces, each labeled as one of the American colonies. The caption beneath it read, “Join, or Die.” At the time, it called for colonial unity during the French and Indian War. Years later, it would become a rallying cry during the American Revolution.
That cartoon didn’t just illustrate a point—it created one. And in doing so, it launched a tradition of political illustration as persuasive protest.
The Golden Age of Ink
By the 19th century, political cartoons had become a staple of American newspapers.
Chief among them was Thomas Nast, whose illustrations in Harper’s Weekly were instrumental in taking down New York’s corrupt Tammany Hall and its infamous leader, Boss Tweed. Nast didn’t just satirize Tweed—he hunted him with ink. His images so infuriated Tweed that he reportedly said, “Stop them damn pictures! My constituents can’t read, but damn it, they can see pictures!”
Nast's legacy endures: he introduced the Democratic donkey, the Republican elephant, and cemented Santa Claus as we know him. But his greatest contribution may be the understanding that a cartoon can drive reform more powerfully than prose.
Why Cartoons Matter
Political cartoons thrive for a simple reason: they cut through the noise.
They clarify. They condense. They provoke.
A well-drawn cartoon:
Breaks down complicated political issues into a single, striking visual.
Elicits emotion—be it laughter, anger, or reflection.
Challenges the powerful and gives voice to the powerless.
Documents history through the lens of public sentiment.
Cartoons are not just commentary—they are culture.
When Ink Threatens Power
Authoritarian regimes have long feared cartoonists. In Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, state-controlled media tightly censored satire. In modern times, cartoonists in countries like Iran, Turkey, and Russia have faced threats, imprisonment, or worse for crossing political lines.
Even in the United States, cartoonists face increasing pressure. In 2019, The New York Times stopped publishing political cartoons internationally after one controversial illustration caused backlash. Across the country, shrinking newsrooms and risk-averse publishers have left fewer platforms for bold visual criticism.
But the ink hasn’t dried—it’s gone digital.
Cartoons in the Meme Age
Today’s satire spreads online faster than ever. Political memes and digital comics often carry the same function as their printed ancestors: ridicule, revelation, and resistance.
Cartoonists like Ann Telnaes and Patrick Chappatte have adapted to digital platforms, reaching millions with animated satire, motion graphics, and clickable critique. And grassroots movements—from national protests to small-town reform efforts—use cartoons to galvanize public awareness.
In Freeport and communities like it, political cartoons have reemerged as watchdog tools. Independent creators and civic advocates use them to spotlight broken roads, unfair policies, and insider politics in ways that can’t be ignored.
A Legacy That Endures
From colonial pamphlets to TikTok feeds, the political cartoon has remained one of the most resilient forms of journalism. It is protest without violence, art with a mission, and journalism with a punch.
As long as there are politicians spinning truth and people demanding answers, there will be cartoons reminding us to look twice—and laugh once.
Because in the end, the most dangerous thing to an unchecked government isn’t a protest march. It’s a pen.
— Fighting4Freeport