Thomas Nast was an influential political cartoonist who is known for bringing attention to issues including corruption, slavery, politics and the Civil War through his work. He is also remembered for his modern depiction of Santa Claus. In this lesson, students will learn about his childhood, his career and the people who influenced him.
Step 1:
Ask students to view the video below to provide background information on Thomas Nast. This can be done at the beginning of class or assigned for homework. Engage in class discussion using the questions below.
Handout: Political Cartoonist Thomas Nast (Google Doc)
VIDEO:
Clip 1: Political Cartoonist Thomas Nast (6:56)
Fiona Deans Halloran provides an overview of the life of the artist.
Describe Thomas Nast's childhood.
Explain how Nast began his career as an illustrator.
Describe his persona and how he was perceived by people.
Step 2:
Ask students to view the following videos and respond to the questions on the handout to learn about the different phases of Thomas Nast's life. Discuss students' responses as a class.
VIDEO
Clip 2: Political Cartoonist Thomas Nast: Historic Leaders (12:00)
Fiona Deans Halloran discusses the impact of historic leaders on Nast and how he portrayed them in his work.
How did the Civil War shape Thomas Nast's views on leadership?
Who were some of Nast's heroes during this time? How did he portray them in his images?
VIDEO
Clip 3: Political Cartoonist Thomas Nast: American Identity and Citizenship (8:28)
Fiona Deans Halloran discusses how Nast's experiences affected his work and his perceptions of American identity and citizenship.
How did the New York City Draft Riots impact Thomas Nast? Describe how he conveys this in his work.
VIDEO
Clip 4: Political Cartoonist Thomas Nast: Illustrator to Cartoonist (4:22)
Fiona Deans Halloran explains how Nast evolved from being an illustrator to a cartoonist.
Explain Nast's initial experience as an illustrator.
Step 3:
Students can use the handout below to complete one of the following culminating activities in class and/or for homework.
Handout: Analyzing Political Cartoons (Google Doc)
Have students search various news sources for political cartoons and analyze them.
A look at a political cartoon from 1862 titled "Jeff Sees the Elephant," believed to be the origin of the donkey and the elephant representing the Democratic and Republican parties.
Historian Fiona Deans Halloran discusses Thomas Nast
Mount Holyoke College History Professor Daniel Czitrom talked about New York City and the events leading up to the July 1863 riots, which started in response to new laws drafting men to fight in the Civil War.
Author Barnet Schecter talked about the causes, progression, and consequences of the New York City Draft Riots of July 1863.
Political Cartoonist Tom Toles talks about his approach to creating his political cartoons through an example of his work.
Political Cartoonist Tom Toles shares his political cartoon on women and the ten dollar bill.
David Ferriero, Archivist of the U.S. National Archives, shares an example of a Clifford K. Berryman political cartoon.