Herblock Political Cartoon Essay

Herblock (1909-2001)
The political cartoons of Herblock made a statement for issues Americans were facing. With his own interpretation and spin on the matters, Herblock brings to light some of the very critical actions.
Segregation and the focus on race was a common theme in many of his cartoons. One cartoon shows a man out on a boat, asking an individual fish if he has attended an un-American school (Slide 14; 8/16/1954). Herblock is mocking the government, showing that they are so concerned about labeling, that they will literally ask every fish in the sea. He also shows the apprehension that America has towards immigrants. Upon entering the United States, officials ask for a fingerprint, instead of a welcoming handshake (Slide 18; 8/29/1955). America has established this sense of fear and anxiety towards any non-white race. Even in the churches, which are supposed to be the most judgment-free establishments, are clearly labeled and segregated against non-whites (Slide 19; 8/14/1960). Herblock shows his confusion and disapproval of

segregation in his cartoon titled “Sorry, But You Have an Incurable Skin Condition” (Slide 21; 7/4/1963). Two white doctors are examining a black doctor, telling him that the reason he is black is due to an incurable skin condition. This demonstrates that racism was shown towards all, from the uneducated to those with PhDs.
Herblock also address the government’s concern towards nuclear warfare. Since 1945, the threats of nuclear bombings were hanging over the heads of many government officials. Not knowing if or when another nation would drop a bomb on America created a sickening amount of stress. Herblock illustrates this in a cartoon by personifying the nuclear bomb, looking as his watch and counting down the years (Slide 6; 1/1/1954); knowing that wherever it fell would create a land of ruins. Nuclear warfare is also addressed in another Herblock cartoon. In the cartoon, JFK is trying to stop the beast, symbolizing “nuclear war”, by smashing it in a locked box (Slide 20; 11/1/1962). With a terrified look on his face, he is worried that he won’t be able to stop what is destined to happen.
During the 1950s, the public education system is another target for Herblock’s political cartoons. He criticizes America for claiming it is the richest country, yet they don’t put the necessary funding into their schools to make them successful (Slide 5; 9/8/1953). Among a city of skyscrapers, hundreds of automobiles, and airplanes, the schools are run-down and overcrowded shacks. In another cartoon, he shows a classroom with children sitting on the floor, on the desks, and on top of each other (Slide 2; 9/6/1949). To emphasize how overcrowded, underfunded, and under-supported the schools are, there are about five children all trying to read the same book. Before America starts dealing with issues like foreign policy, America must take care of America, first.
Another prominent theme is the containment of communism and the campaign against the un-American. People would go to extreme lengths and make up incredible stories to “find” a communist individual. Herblock shows how far some would go in his cartoon of the baseball game. A player out on the field misses a catch, and people in the crowd are saying “he missed it because he is a communist” (Slide 8; 4/12/1954). With everyone labeling people un-American, it was hard to find the true definition of an American. People where fake, done up, and put on a front to try and seem American. However, at the end of the day, there was no true American identity (Slide 9; 5/7/1954).
Lastly, Herblock shows the true menace of Joseph McCarthy and his red baiting scheme. He was constantly trying someone to claim them of being communism. Back to the witch hunt trails of the 16th century, McCarthy’s red baiting accused anyone and everyone of being a communist, even with no rightful cause. And people fell in his trap, honoring and respecting him because they didn’t want to ever be tried (Slide 10; 6/17/1954). As the title states, people were literally “pledging their allegiance to Joe McCarthy”. Government officials were also targeted and tried for being communist. One of Herblock’s cartoons shows men taking a picture, standing with their faces in a cut out hole of a board. Surrounding the hole is a scene of an American, beating up a communist agent (Slide 15; 8/18/1954). This shows what an act the whole red bait, communist scare was.
Political Advertising in 1960 and 1964
With the popularity of TV, the advertising industry, especially when it came to campaigning, was able to make a huge impact on the lives of Americans every day. During the 1960 and 1964 election, both the democratic and republican parties utilized TV advertising to gain Americans votes.
In the 1960 campaign, John F. Kennedy and his Democratic Party focused on three key issues: the need for strength, the fight against communism, and the expensive cost of living. In Debate 2, JFK mentioned that 50% of the steel mill factories were not being used, many Americans were starving and unable to receive food, and the educational system was reaching an all-time low (Debate 2, Democrat, 1960). One of JFK’s major focuses was strength; strength and vitality would result from improved economic growth in America (Debate 2, Democrat, 1960). His other main address was to the threat of communism and how he would be the leader in the fight against it (Debate 2, Democrat, 1960). In this election, many Americans questioned the threat communism had on the country and wondered if we would. He felt that if we were militarily, economically, and socially strong as a country, freedom would conquer over communism (Debate 2, Democrat, 1960). Lastly, his focus was on cost of living. Interest rates had continued to increase, causing family living (rent, food, clothing, gas and electric) to reach unbelievable amounts (Sill’s Family, Democrat, 1960). For parents hoping to send their children to college, this seems to be out of reach, but JFK introduces change to the interest rate policy (Sill’s Family, Democrat, 1960).
In the Democratic campaign, they portray JFK as a real leader (Nixon’s Experience?, Democrat, 1960), even comparing him to former President Roosevelt (Harry Belafonte, Democrat, 1960). His advertisements show him as a family man, who is personable and cares about each individual family (Sill’s Family, Democrat, 1960). They also mention his past WWII history, showing his strong character and heroic mentality (Henry Fonda, R, 1960). When presenting Nixon, they question his prior “experience” in high power. They even have President Eisenhower make a statement; regarding the impact Nixon has had on the White House, Eisenhower “would have to think for a week” (Nixon’s Experience, Democrat, 1960).
In the 1960 election, Nixon and the Republican Party focus on the importance of a strong nation, the containment of communism, and improving the image of America through civil rights.

Nixon believes the peace should be kept amongst other nations, but we will never surrender to their ideals (Most Important Issue, Republican, 1960). Just as JFK stressed the importance of strength within the country, Nixon does too, stating that we need a “strong nation with diplomacy” (Most Important Issue, Republican, 1960). The Republican ideal is that the containment of communism is important and will come with unmalleable American people, freedom will rule over communism (Freedom, Republican, 1960). Nixon also is interested in improving the image of America by focusing on civil rights for all Americans. If America is able to create a country for all, we will become the model for other nations (Civil Rights, Republican,

1960).
In the Republican campaign, Nixon is mentioned for having experience and being well traveled around the world (Best Qualified, Republican, 1960). In all of the advertisements, he is very stern, but calm in his demeanor. In regards to JFK, nothing positive or negative is done to portray him in the Republican campaign.
In the 1964 campaign, Lyndon B. Johnson and the Democratic Party focused on ridding the country of poverty and nuclear warfare. Specifically, he believed that poverty was a cycle, inherited through their parents. He stressed the need to break the poverty cycle so that the lives of children would be saved and they would not be predisposed in any way (Poverty, Democrat, 1964). Johnson also feared the threats of nuclear warfare. In the famous advertisement with Daisy counting the pedals amidst the explosion of an atomic bond, he shows the potential threats that impact all Americans (Peace Little Girl, Democrat, 1964). Another video from his campaign is of a little girl eating ice cream, while the background voice stresses the need to end bomb testing (Ice Cream, Democrat, 1964).
In this Democratic campaign, a lot is said about Johnson’s opponent, Barry Goldwater. Johnson believed he would destroy all the work that was done to create social security (Social Security, Democrat, 1964). He also is in favor of the use of atomic and nuclear weapons, therefore the Democratic Party could portray him as a heartless man with the advertisements they used (Ice Cream, Democratic, 1964). He also had affiliation with and support from the KKK (KKK, Democrat, 1964). Along with all of these opposing views, the Democratic Party also found statements made by Republicans, stating that Goldwater “spells disaster for the party and the country”, he is “crazy and dangerous”, and lastly, that he would cause “suicidal destruction of the Republican Party” (Republican Convention, Democrat, 1964). There wasn’t much said about Johnson, only the fact that he was able to make many positive changes in America (Accomplishments, Democrat, 1964).
In the 1964 campaign, Barry Goldwater and the Republican Party emphasized the need for a small government and world leadership. Goldwater wanted to return government back to the people, by utilizing the “Peace, Progress, and Purpose” model (Punchcard, Republican, 1964). He felt that the government must draw strength from its people, instead of the government taking the strength of people (Boy on Bicycle, Republican, 1964). According to his research, the American government was taking $1 out of every $3 that was made, and he wanted that to change (Boy on Bicycle, Republican, 1964). In terms of achieving world leadership, Goldwater really wanted American children to grow up as Americans (We Will Bury You, Republican, 1964). He wanted to rebuild and revitalize alliances, so that the threat of communism would disappear (Communism, Republican, 1964). By fixing the problems we faced at home and strengthening the relationships between our Allies, he felt that we would be the leader and the example for the world.
In this Republican campaign, Goldwater is portrayed as the individual, private, and unbought man (Punchcard, Republican, 1964). He wants the man of every family to feel the same way, and be in control of their household (Punchcard, Republican, 1964). Contrary to Johnson’s claims, Goldwater does support social security and actually want to see it strengthened (Senator Margaret Chase, Republican, 1964). By bringing up this point, the Republican Party is showing that not every said by the Democratic Party is true. In fact, Goldwater refers to Johnson as “The Big Brother Government”, living by an old and worn out doctrine (Punchcard, Republican, 1964). He also feels that the Democratic Party is weak to communism and displays weak leadership, oblivious to foreign attitudes towards America (America’s Image, Republican, 1964).
Comparing the political advertisements of 1960 and those of 1964, the obvious difference is the enhancement of videography skills and recording technology. The 1960 campaign ads consisted of a single individual talking into the camera, while the 1964 ads had zooming features (Accomplishments, Democrat, 1964), transitions between pictures/videos, and background music (Poverty, Republican, 1964). With the advancements of technology also came the advancements of action and storytelling. The campaign ads in 1964 displayed actors and relatable stories (Boy on Bicycle and We Will Bury You). By the 1964 election, the candidates were able to sway the voters through emotional appeals, such as in Peace Little Girl and Ice Cream. Overall, the quality of the advertisements changed drastically between the two election seasons.