Interpreting Cartoons the 3Cs

The Context What was going on at the time, what event does it depict? The Content What has been included in the cartoon? Why have they been drawn this way? The Comment - What message is the cartoonist trying to convey? What do they want you to think?

Interpreting the cartoon 'Bravo Belgium'

The Context - What was going on at the time?
World War One had broken out. Germany had attacked Belgium to get to France. Belgium had resisted and slowed down the German advance. Britain came to the aid of Belgium under the 1839 Treaty.

Content - What is happening in the Comment - What is the meaning of the cartoon? What message does
cartoon?
An old man is threatening a small boy and the boy looks strong and determined.

the artist want to convey?

This cartoon is about the start of the First World War. It shows a struggle between 'David and Goliath' figures. The man is Germany, he is trying get into Belgium but the boy Belgium is resisting. The gate says no entry, Belgium is a neutral country, this refers to the 1839 Treaty.

Both people are carrying clubs but of different sizes.

The clubs represent the two armies; Belgium is outgunned but still resisting. The gate behind the boy is closed and says no entry. The Schlieffen Plan meant Germany had to go through Belgium to attack France, to avoid the border defences and defeat France quickly. The cartoonist is supporting Belgium, hence the caption, 'Bravo Belgium'. The artist is sarcastic towards Germany shown by the sausages hanging from his pocket. The artist is blaming Germany for starting the war and is trying Behind the gate is a peaceful village scene, with a church. to get support from the public for the war by showing Germany as the aggressor and the violator of treaties. He has suggested Britain has a just

cause for entering the war

Interpreting the cartoon 'Peace and Future Cannon fodder'

The Context - What was going on at the time?

Peace Treaty being discussed at Versailles. Big Four -Clemenceau, Lloyd George, Woodrow Wilson and Orlando. Demand that Germany should be punished. Wilson Fourteen Points could be basis for peace. WW1 supposed to be the war to end all wars. Who would pay for damage? How could war be avoided in the future? Could the leaders agree on what to do with Germany.

Comment - What point is the cartoonist trying to

Content - What is going on in the cartoon?

Four men are leaving a building. They are carrying their coats and hats, they have finished. The pillar represents a grand building. A child is crying behind a pillar and a copy of the peace treaty is by its feet.

make?

The Big Four- Clemenceau, Wilson, Orlando and Lloyd George negotiated the peace settlement and the building is the Palace of Versailles where the Germans had to sign the Treaty.

The child has read the treaty and has been upset by its terms. In 1940 the child will be 21 old enough to fight; he believes there will be a war then.

The Tiger does not understand why the child is happening. The Tiger is Clemenceau, he should understand the situation. He had lived through the France-Prussian War 1870-71, he like all the French had been angered by the harsh treaty which saw France lose Alsace-Lorraine to Germany. France had always sought revenge for that loss. He should realise that Germany will now want revenge for her losses in the Versailles Treaty.

The man in front finds it difficult to understand why the child is upset. He looks quite pleased with himself.

The order in which they leave suggests the level of blame for the treaty. The title suggests there is peace now but there will be war in the future and that war will begin in 1940.