Political Cartoons and Foreign Pressures: Continuity & Change

Grade 12, University Preparation - Canada: History, Identify, and Culture
Grade 12, University Preparation - Canada and World Politics

Purpose

1. To make students aware that in the early 20th century Canada was facing both America intent on expanding its economic resource base, and a British Empire demanding assistance with its naval program. This lesson will help the students in cultivating an understanding of the complex position of Canada in the world.
2. To develop the students' ability to critically analyze primary documents, in this case political cartoons. The lesson seeks to help students develop the ability to identify what issue is being discussed by the cartoon, how the cartoons portray the issues / person(s), and discern what the cartoonist’s main message is, while assessing the effectiveness of the cartoon.
3. To help students develop “historical understanding.”  Specifically, this lesson has a focus on the Continuity and Change dimension of historical thinking.

Strand: Canada - History, Identity and Culture, and World Politics

The students are to critically analyze early 20th century political cartoons dealing with political and economic pressures from the USA and from Britain (The Reciprocity debate of 1911, and the Naval Crisis from 1908 to 1913 respectively).

Author: Kyle Neill