Thomas Nast- Political Cartoons

The Influence of Political Cartoons on America For all of our History, scholars have questioned which group of people drove the changes during the Progressive era (1865-1900). While it is possible to argue that wealthy, elite Americans drove the changes during this era because of their prominent influence on the American political structure, this argument would be fallacious at its core. This argument does not take into consideration the mass of middle class Americans that strove for economic and political reform during this Gilded age. In this paper, the idea that the middle class Americans were the pushing force behind the progressive, imperialistic, and socialist movements will be argued. This working-class, including the illiterate labor class and foreigners, were influenced more by the cartoons and engravings of Thomas Nast than by the articles of journalists, newspaper publications, or the speeches of political leaders. From immediately after the Civil War to the beginning of the Progressive era, Nast’s drawings affected America politically and socially. Nast, a German immigrant and perhaps one of America’s most well-known cartoonists, was one of these working-class men. During the Civil War, Nast was known for Romantic, reminiscent wash drawings. These drawings portrayed the sentiment of people regarding the war. Also, they showed Nast’s idealistic views about the objectives of the war. But as the war continued, Nast matured politically and grew more policy-minded. The cause of the Union came together more strongly with emancipation and equal citizenship. Nast was able to portray the political and social meaning of the war better than words could express; he and many other middle class Americans became a national force during this time of American nationhood. Before Nast began cartooning, his wood engravings showed American scenes from the Civil War to the turn of the century. He highlighted all of the major political processes, elections, and