Title

Educating the masses: Cartoons from the populist press of the 1890s

Abstract

Newspapers provided a significant portion of the political education that farmers received during the 1890s. Most were small, highly partisan, and run on a shoe-string budget. To supplement local news and activities, Populist editors frequently purchased 'boiler plate' syndications that contained national news, party propaganda, and cartoons. The messages in these illustrations could be cutting, controversial, or even poignant. They probably left a stronger impression than the editorials, particularly among those tired from a long day's work or with questionable reading skills. These cartoons provide us with a window into the world of Populist politics in the 1890s.

Department(s)

History

Document Type

Article

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1080/14664650312331294334

Publication Date

2003

Journal Title

American Nineteenth Century History

Share

COinS