Lunchtime Lecture: A Cartoon is Worth a Thousand Words

Political cartoons were a popular visual medium that could quickly and easily tell a story, influence political careers, gather a national movement, or ostracize a people. Thomas Nast was one of the most influential political cartoonists of the post-Civil War era, publishing mainly in the well-circulated Harper's Weekly. Nast gave American popular culture the Republican elephant, the Democratic donkey, and the red-suited Santa Claus. He used his art to recruit for the Union army, fight against political corruption, and support black freedom. He also used his power to speak against women's suffrage and immigrant communities, especially to flaunt his hatred of the Irish Catholics flooding into America. For better or for worse, political cartoons were used to influence the American people for almost 100 years. Learn more about Thomas Nast and the influential political cartoonists of the post-Civil War era at this Lunchtime Lecture.

This talk will be presented both in-person and via Zoom. Attendance is FREE with a recommended $10 donation. You can learn more and register by clicking here or at https://eriecanalmuseum.org/event/political-cartoons/