People and Leaders

Maps of Europe

Maps of Asia

Maps of Africa

New Deal Posters

1

A poster from Roosevelt's New Deal. Roosevelt motivated the American people after the disastrous effects of the Great Depression. The radio and posters were the only mediums available to reach the general public.

Points to Ponder:
When looking at this poster, was this picture actually intended to give an accurate factual representation of what occurred, or was it intended to just give an impression of the truth? Remember, America was a segregated society in the 1930s.

Was this picture intended to persuade people to believe something? If so, what are they persuaded to believe in?

What propaganda techniques have been used in this poster?

What does the poster suggest about what was happening in the USA at the time? Is this poster an accurate reflection of what was happening at that time?

How does having the American flag in the background contribute towards the feeling of patriotism? Explain the effectiveness of the use of words "United we win"?

What is suggested by having both black and white represented on this poster?

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2

Another poster from the period of the New Deal in the USA in the 1930s.

Points to Ponder
Why was it necessary for the USA government to give free classes concerning jobs in the 1930s?

This poster suggests unemployment was a problem for men and women between the ages of 16 and 25 years of age. Was this the case in America in the 1930s? Explain.
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3

A poster promoting the CCC: Civilian Conservation Corps. This poster appeared in Illinois in 1941.

Points to Ponder
What was the purpose behind the Civilian Conservation Corps? Why did the CCC fall away in 1941?

How successful was the CCC?

How many people did the CCC employ at any given time between 1933-1941?

"Pay was low and was described by some as forced labour." Does this mean that the CCC was a failure?

Historical Writing

Different Schools Historiography

The Liberal School

- Historians who follow a liberal interpretation are opposed to racial discrimination and opposed to interference of the government in the lives of people and in business. They usually supported Capitalism.

The Nationalist School

-      Nationalist history often stresses the part played by women and men who are seen as heroes – people who follow. It is biased to one group/country over people over another.

The Revisionist School

-      ‘Revisionist’ indicates that there is something which needs to be revised, or changed. Their approach instead explains history of in economic terms. (Who is exploited? Who has the most to gain financially? etc. They see history as a clash between the classes (upper vs working class).

Historical Writing on the Cold War

The Orthodox View

The orthodox or traditional view was developed by Western historians in the late 1940s and early 1950s. They believed that the Soviet Union was primarily responsible for the outbreak and continuation of the Cold War.

The Soviet regime was seen as extremely antagonistic and threatening to the West.

The Revisionist View

This concept took the view that the US had started and sustained the Cold War.

The Post-Revisionist View

This view did not try to blame one or the other side for the Cold War. It argued that the Cold War was the product of mutual suspicions and over-reaction on both sides.

Cartoons

Cartoons

How to analyse a cartoon

It is possible to work out the message that a cartoon is conveying by looking at:

Step 1

·         The date of the cartoon

·         The caption, if there is one

·         The people and who they represent

·         Any symbols which may appear in the cartoon

·         The actual drawing its self

·         The people who created the cartoon

Step 2

·         You need to identify the cartoonist point of view in order to do this, you need to look at his/her use of humour

Step 3

It is useful to determine your own point of view in relation to the cartoon. When analysing cartoon you need to answer the following questions:

·         What event or issue that inspired the cartoon?

·         Are there any real people in the cartoon? Who is being portrayed in the cartoon?

·         Are there any symbols in the cartoons? What are they and what do they represent?

·         How has the cartoonist use humour to make his point visible in the eye of the reader?

·         Do you agree or disagree with the cartoonist opinion? Give reasons for your answers.