Cartoon Analysis: Summary and Reflection

I chose to analyze a collection of cartoons all reflecting the topic of conflict

between Russia and Crimea. From looking at many cartoons, and reflecting on a
selection of them, I have come to understand more about international political
feelings towards Russia, and how people have interpreted Russias actions and
motives. I analyzed cartoons from both the United States and from other nations,
and though they address issues varying from the Crimea vote to Putins ambition, all
of them are in some way against Russia.
One thing that I noticed in two of the cartoons, however, is that the cartoonist
seems to be mocking other international leaders as much as Putin. The most striking
example of this is the cartoon in which world leaders look weak threatening Russia
with their pens instead of taking stronger action. This shows that the cartoonist
both thinks that the world isnt doing enough to stop Russia, and that he wants to
evoke them to take more intimidating action. The general message in all of the
cartoons though is that Russia did the wrong thing, and that it should be stopped
and punished.
I found it interesting that cartoons that expressed similar ideas to the
American political climate were drawn in other countries. It definitely makes sense
that other nations, especially those in Europe, would be against Russias recent
actions, but this fact also makes me wonder why so little is being done about it if so
many countries are against it.
All of the cartoons I found and analyzed on this topic were against Russia and
its actions, which means that though there is a bias in my research, it is definitely


the majority opinion around the world. All of the cartoonists seem to agree that
what Russia did was wrong, particularly with the case of the Crimea vote. Putin is
always drawn to look cynical or as a villain, when other civilians, usually from
Crimea, are drawn to look oppressed or nervous. Drawing these people in this
specific way helps to enunciate the cartoonists opinions on the role that each
played in this conflict.
I had a basic understanding of the Russia-Ukraine conflict before analyzing
these cartoons, and they influenced me to be even more against Russia. Before
looking at many of the cartoons, I had doubts about the validity of the Crimea vote,
but I did feel that the Crimea people freely voted to join Russia, and that it was the
majority choice. With so many of the cartoons showing how the vote was unfair or
rigged, I am beginning to doubt if it really was a free vote and not just a product of
Russian intimidation. Looking at the cartoons that mocked the international
community also made me slightly angry with the world leaders for letting Russia get
away with this with little punishment. I understand that military action is not the
right thing to do, but I feel like they could be more proactive with diplomacy or
other means so that Russia doesnt feel like it can get away with this again.
The main thing I got from analyzing these cartoons is how the entire world
feels that Russia stepped over the line in invading Crimea, and how it was beyond
their rights to try to take a part of Ukraine. All of the cartoons expressed basically
the same ideas, and because of this I can assume that much of the world is against
what Russia did. By using political cartoons to depict this, cartoonists can get this
message at more simply to more people, which can make a difference in the opinion


of the general population and may incite political action. This issue overall is an
important point world wide, because it pushes the line on what is a countrys right,
and how far the international community will let Russia go. The agreement of the
cartoonists on this issue shows that much of the world thinks that Russia crossed
the line, which can influence Russias actions in the future.



Date: March 17, 2014

Description:

This cartoon interoperates the citizen vote on whether Crimea should
become a part of Russia. Based on this depiction, the cartoonist feels that the people
of Crimea were unfairly pressured into voting Yes, and that it wasnt really a fair
vote. In the cartoon, the citizens of Crimea are portrayed as generic people, but the
ballot box where they are placing their votes is the mouth of a hungry-looking bear.
The bear is a representation of Russia, and because of its greedy expression, it is
implied that it desires the people of Crimea to vote to join it. Also, since the people
are placing their vote into the bears mouth, it can be interpreted that Russia is
closely monitoring the election and that there will be consequences if people do not
vote to join. I agree somewhat with the cartoonists message. In the actual election, a
large portion of Crimean citizens voted to join Russia, which could by either a
representation of their actual beliefs or the product of being forced to vote a certain
way. I do, however, feel that some of the people of Crimea truly wanted to join
Russia, which this cartoon does not show. Also, though not every person drawn into
the cartoon has a ballot showing, all that do have marked Yes, which does not
include a representation of the people who voted No.




Cartoonist: Steve Sack
Publication: Star Tribune
Date: March 14, 2014

Description:

This cartoon was inspired by the Crimea vote to join with Russia. In this
cartoon, Russia is portrayed as pushing Crimea to vote in favor of joining through an
unfair use of force. Depicted in this cartoon is Putin, for he is the one backing the
force, and an array of tanks, to portray Russia and its motives. There is also a ballot
box and a generic looking man, to represent the vote and Crimea. The expression on
Putins face is one of dominance and cruelness, while the Crimean man is drawn to
look nervous. Because of this, one can infer that the people of Crimea felt like they
had to vote a certain way or they would be punished by Russia, even if they did not
truly want to join. Based on this cartoon, one can infer that the cartoonist is against
Russia taking over Crimea, and is skeptical of the vote. The cartoon shows some
bias, because there are some people in Crimea who truly wanted to join Russia, and
it is not proven that Russia influence the election, but I do agree with the cartoon.
The cartoon is intended to provoke anger towards Russia and sympathy towards
Crimea, because of how cruelly Russia is portrayed in comparison to the man.



Cartoonist: Olle Johansson
Publication: Norra Vsterbotten
Date: March 2, 2014

Description:
This cartoon is inspired by Russias invasion of Ukraine and its intent on
taking Crimea. In the cartoon, Putin is drawn as a thief who has just broken into a
house labeled Ukraine. In his bag are stolen goods, one of which is labeled
Crimea. By drawing Putin as a burglar, it deems Russias invasion as a crime and
Ukraine as being unfairly robbed. It is common sense that it is wrong to rob a house,
so by drawing the Russia-Crimea situation as a break-in, it provokes viewers to
believe that it was immoral of Russia to try to rob Ukraine of Crimea. The cartoon
takes a complex issue and makes it into a scenario that everyone can understand
and relate to, which helps get the message across. I agree with the cartoonists
opinion that Ukraine was robbed, because I feel that no nation has the right to
invade and put a claim on part of another country. This cartoonist is Swedish, which
shows that the opinion that Russia did something wrong is an international belief.
This means that people all around the world are against what Russia did, which
could lead to international action against it.




Cartoonist: Graeme MacKay
Publication: Hamilton Spectator
Date: March 5, 2014

Description:

This cartoon depicts the lack of UN action against Russias invasion of
Ukraine. In the top half, the text Back Off, Putin is filled in with the flags of
powerful nations and the UN logo, and on the left side colored objects, which
resemble missiles, are aimed at Putin. Also, in the top section Putin is drawn to look
nervous about taking Ukraine, presumably because he feels threatened by the
international forces and weapons. In the bottom half, however, the colored objects
are shown to just be the pens of world leaders, who are all holding out a diplomatic
treaty to Putin. In this half, Putin is dissing the international community, and doesnt
seem to care about their efforts to stop him. This cartoon really makes fun at how
little the world is doing to intimidate Russia, and how simply trying to work things
out diplomatically wont make a difference. I agree with the cartoonist in that little
has worked to stop Russia, but I also feel that weapons would not be the right things
to use either, because of the possible consequences. This cartoon seems to be both
in favor of Russia, because it shows how strong it is compared to the UN, and in
favor of the international community, because it shows Russia as a forced that
should be stopped.




Cartoonist: Martyn Turner
Publication: The Irish Times
Date: March 7, 2014

Description:

Like many of the other cartoons that reflect upon the Russia-Crimea conflict,
this cartoon depicts the unfairness of the Crimean vote to join with Russia. The
cartoon portrays Russia soldiers, Crimean civilians, and a man who is asked the
people to raise their arms if they are in favor of joining with Crimea. This statement
has a double meaning, because the soldiers are raising both their actual arms and
their guns. Also, it is only the Russian soldiers who are voting to join with Russia,
and not the Crimean citizens, showing how the people do not agree with Russias
actions. What is also significant about the cartoon is how the polltaker says the
Crimea instead of simply Crimea. The the is in a different font to make it stand
out, and to draw attention to the fact that the polltaker considers Crimea to be its
own state instead of being part of another county. That point and the fact the man
seems to be writing down the soldiers votes implies that the people taking the vote
are also pro-Russia, and that they are purposely rigging it and making it unfair. The
facial expressions on the Crimean people also make it seem like they are being
pressured or intimidated, which adds to the anti-Russian message in the cartoon.


Cartoonist: Gary Varvel
Publication: Indianapolis Star
Date: March 24, 2014

Description:

This cartoon depicts Putin labeling the entire world as Russia, symbolizing
his greed and intent to take over more countries. The cartoonist is obviously anti-
Putin, and feels that Russias attempt to take Crimea is just the start of more Russian
imperialism and another Cold War situation. This cartoon shows Putins ambition to
make the entire world part of Russia, which is an exaggeration, but an accurate
depiction of what could happen. It also is somewhat of a warning to international
leaders to show what could happen if they do not put a stop to Russia right now, and
how letting them get away with taking Crimea could easily lead to the invasion and
take over of other nations. Based on this cartoon, I can infer that the cartoonist is
both against Russia and wants international leaders to do more in trying to stop it.
While I know that it is an exaggeration that Russia will take over the entire world, I
do agree with the cartoonist in that letting Russia have Crimea could lead it to take
over other Eastern European nations and create a state similar to the Soviet Union.
This cartoon is intended to evoke anger towards Putin and fear that Russia will just
grow bolder and greedier if we dont stop it now.