Political Cartoon #1-- The American Rattlesnake

1. Interpret the cartoon. What historical event/issue is being represented?
This political cartoon was created as the American Revolution was starting and . The Rattlesnake represent the American colonist and shows that he is encircling the two British camps at Saratoga and Yorktown. Snakes would tightened their grip on their prey, much like how the colonists will, in a sense, tighten their hold on the British army through their victories. There is a third circle starting indicating that there is still room for another British army.
2. What is the message that the cartoonist is trying to convey? Which side of the issue does he support?
The cartoonist is trying to convey the fact that the American colonists were only getting started. The third circle let Britain know that they were planning on finishing the revolution with a victory and that they were ready for increasing British troops. The cartoonists is supporting the American colonists because he is demonstrating that the British troops are being smothered by the rattlesnake, therefore supporting an American victory.
3. What effect(s) did this cartoon have on American History? What were the results of this issue being addressed?
This cartoon had effects on American History by boasting the morale of the colonists. It demonstrated the fact that the American troops have defeated the British troops twice and was strong. The beginnings of a third circle let the colonists know that there was room for more British defeat in the future. The results of the issue were that the colonists, in fact, defeated the British army and ended up winning the American Revolution. The cartoon was correct in illustrating there the American colonists were ready to keep defeating the British troops.