Political Cartoon #1

Chloe Smith

Mr. DeCarlo

APUSH- 2nd period

12 September 2018

1. The American Rattlesnake political cartoon was created by James Gillray. It pictures a snake (America), and within the two coils of the snake are the surrendering troops of the British army. One defeat was at Saratoga, where the British surrendered to General Horatio Gates. The second defeat took place at Yorktown, where General Cornwallis was surrounded by George Washington and the French Admiral de Grasse. The snake is coiled around the British to exemplify the fact that America had the British army trapped.

2. The cartoonist believes that America is much stronger than the British forces, and that the British will only face defeat when they are up against American troops. In fact, the snake’s empty coils pictured in the cartoon suggest that America can take on and surround even more British forces. This cartoonist believes in the Revolution and the strength of the colonists, which is made evident not only in the coils surrounding the British, but also in the coils that leave room for more British forces to be surrounded and defeated.

3. This political cartoon not only supported the Revolutionary cause in the colonies, but also encouraged Americans to continue believing in the cause as well. This American Rattlesnake did not lead to an automatic win in the Revolutionary war, but it increased the American spirit by depicting the strength and success of the American army.