The following contains a list of symbols that are often depicted in satirical works of the period. Use these and the worksheet below to help you determine the meaning of the cartoons.
  • ​​The Snake: Snakes have been used as a symbol for centuries as both a positive and negative representation. They can shed their skin and are prolific so they can be used to symbolize rebirth and fertility. They also have no eyelids so they can symbolize watchfulness and protection.  
  • Britannia: She is often depicted as a young woman clothed in a flowing robe. Many times she is depicted using or wearing items symbolizing military strength such as a helmet, a shield with a Union Jack, and a spear or sword. She is also often depicted with a lion--also a common symbol of power.
  • Native American: America is often depicted as an Native American. It may be in part due to the influence of Chief Joseph Brant and his influence on Great Britain. They are shown as female if being acted upon and male if taking the initiative. ​
  • Trees: There were often different uses for trees. The most obvious one is of the Liberty Tree which stood in Boston near the Boston Commons area and became a rallying point for the Patriots. The other is the use of the pine tree. The pine tree grew straight and tall and the British Navy needed them for their ships. British officers would mark trees for the Navy's use, leaving only the smallest trees for the colonists. However, many colonists ignored these marks and used the trees in spite of the of direction of the British officers. Some trees are also symbolically dead or dying or look bare but have new growth.
  • Clothing: Cartoonists would carefully select the style of clothing to depict a person, group of people or a class of citizens. "By studying costume students should be able to identify whether these people belong to royalty, nobility, the middle classes, religious orders, the rural peasantry, the industrial workforce or the military" (J. Llewellyn et al, 2018).
  • The Liberty Cap: The Liberty Cap is often shown at the top of a pole or spear. The origination of this cap is from Roman times when a slave was given his freedom. To symbolize his new status, they would wear a Phrygian cap which is almost shapeless and made of stiff red felt. 
  • Sons of Liberty Flag: This flag shows nine stripes for the nine original founders of the Sons of Liberty 
  • Dogs: Dogs are affectionate, strong, service oriented, and loyal. Paradoxically, they are also often used to depict a satirical meaning when it is urinating. 
  • Demons: These evil characters are regularly seen in historical sources. They often have claws, wings, horns and a tail. The demons are sometimes specifically referred to as Satan, Beelzebub, or the Devil and are used to characterize evil, deceit or imminent disaster.
  • Crowns: Crowns represent leadership, authority, power or victory. They can be plain or ornate. If they are damaged, it may mean defeat or toppling of power.
  • Dragons: Dragons are shown as monstrous, destructive creatures in European societies. They are also often shown in isolated and unknown places.
  • Military weapons: When weapons are shown, it is often to represent power or strength. But when laid on the ground it often characterizes peace. However, if they are piled and damaged, it can be a symbol of relinquishment or weakness. 
 Key People Repeatedly Featured:
  • Lord Frederick North:  He was Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1770 - 1782. He was in office during the most eventful 12 years of conflict with the colonies. Retention of the tea duties and creation of the Coercive Acts prominently figure in his mishandling of the American colonies. 
  • George Grenville: As Prime Minister, the Sugar Act and Stamp Act were pushed into existence. This of course leads to increased tensions and the end of salutary neglect. After leaving office as Prime Minister, Grenville remains in parliament pushing the passage of the Townshend Acts.
  • William Pitt: William Pitt served as Prime Minister twice and helped his country become an imperial power. In his later years, he was a champion of liberty and helped to get the repeal of several tax acts passed against the colonies. 
  • Henry Fox, 1st Baron Holland: English politician most well known for exploiting others for personal gain. He is often depicted as an actual fox.
  • John Stuart, Earl of Bute: Served as Prime Minister and dominated King George III during the first five years of his reign. He remained influential until Grenville made the king promise not to consult with Lord Bute.
  • Lord Edmund Burke: Lord Burke championed conservative politics and pushed the power of the constitution--insisting the monarch needed to answer to the constitution. He also gave many speeches on the mess that salutary neglect had made of the colonial situation.
  • Lord Sandwich: Lord Sandwich served as the Secretary of State during the Seven Years War and then later as the first Lord of the Admiralty during the Revolutionary War. During the war he was highly criticized for keeping much of the British fleet within the vicinity of Europe in case of French attack.  
The worksheet below will further help to analyze the forthcoming political cartoons:
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Photo from Jonatan Svensson Glad (Josve05a)