Answer to Question 8 **Interpreting Political Cartoons: Industrialization and Urban Politics**Technological advances, immigration, and the prospects of wealth led to massive industrialization in the United States in the latter half of the 1800s and the early part of the 1900s. Industrialization led to the growth of cities, and cities often bred corrupt political organizations. The most famous of these was Tammany Hall in New York City. Its most famous leader was Boss Tweed, who railed against Thomas Nast’s political cartoons, such as the one below. Nast waged an unrelenting campaign against Tammany corruption. Historians credit Nast’s pressure with forcing the investigations that eventually brought down Boss Tweed.**Directions:** Study the cartoon below, and then answer the questions that follow.**Cartoon Description:**The cartoon, drawn by Thomas Nast and published in *Harper's Weekly*, is divided into two panels.1. **Top Panel:** Depicts a line of men, likely representing the corrupt political figures associated with Boss Tweed and Tammany Hall. The men are shown in military-style clothing, suggesting their authoritative roles in politics.2. **Bottom Panel:** Illustrates police officers seemingly promoting certain businesses like a "Bakery" and "Retail" establishment while controlling others, implying favoritism and corruption in business dealings related to Tammany Hall.**Overall Message:**The cartoon is a critique of political corruption and favoritism in business during the era of industrialization, highlighting how political machines like Tammany Hall wielded power unjustly.**Page Information:**- Source: Harper's Weekly- Activity: Interpreting Political Cartoons- Page: 25 of the section on interpreting political cartoons within an educational guide.**Educational Use:**This cartoon is used to teach students about the interplay between industrialization, urban politics, and corruption during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It provides insight into the historical context of political reform movements. **Analyzing the Cartoon**1. Name the central figure in the top panel of this cartoon. Who are the people with him? ___________________________________________________2. Look at the central male figure in the bottom panel. From what economic class is he? Explain your answer. ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________3. What is the figure in the bottom panel doing? Why does Nast show him doing this? ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________4. Who is peeking around the corner in the bottom panel? Why is the child horrified? ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________5. What ironic, satirical pun is used in the cartoon’s title? ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________**Critical Thinking**6. Making Comparisons: Compare how the police are reacting in the bottom and top panels of this cartoon. ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________7. Making Inferences: What have Boss Tweed and his cronies just done? ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________8. Identifying Central Issues: Over the courthouse in the top right of the top panel, Nast wrote the following: “The New (?) Court House.” Explain how the question mark after "New" expresses the central issue of this cartoon. ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________*Page 26, Interpreting Political Cartoons*

The powerfully satirical cartoon "Wholesale and Retail" by Thomas Nast depicts the corruption of…

1. Name the central figure in the top panel of this cartoon. Who are the people with him? 2. Look at the central male figure in the bottom panel. From what eco- nomic class is he? Explain your answer. 3. What is figure in the bottom panel doing? Why does Nast show him doing this? 4. Who is peeking around the corner in the bottom panel? Why is the child horrified? 5. What ironic, satirical pun is used in the cartoon's title? CRITICAL THINKING 6. Making Comparisons Compare how the police are reacting in the bottom and top panels of this cartoon. 7. Making Inferences What have Boss Tweed and his cronies just done? 8. Identifying Central Issues Over the court house in the top right of the top panel, Nast wrote the following: "The New (?) Court House." Explain how the question mark after "New" expresses the central issue of this cartoon.

1. Name the central figure in the top panel of this cartoon. Who are the people with him? 2. Look at the central male figure in the bottom panel. From what eco- nomic class is he? Explain your answer. 3. What is figure in the bottom panel doing? Why does Nast show him doing this? 4. Who is peeking around the corner in the bottom panel? Why is the child horrified? 5. What ironic, satirical pun is used in the cartoon's title? CRITICAL THINKING 6. Making Comparisons Compare how the police are reacting in the bottom and top panels of this cartoon. 7. Making Inferences What have Boss Tweed and his cronies just done? 8. Identifying Central Issues Over the court house in the top right of the top panel, Nast wrote the following: "The New (?) Court House." Explain how the question mark after "New" expresses the central issue of this cartoon.