"THEM DAMN PICTURES!" - The Political Cartoons of Thomas Nast
"THEM DAMN PICTURES!" was a project highlighting the work of famous political cartoonist Thomas Nast. Nast’s infamous cartoons attacking New York City’s Tammany Hall political machine during the late 1800's Progressive era drew attention to municipal political corruption, leading to the now-commonplace secret ballot and the weakening of political machines through legislative reforms of city governments.
Backstory
There are few things as universally loved and understood as cartoons. Whether it's classic Calvin and Hobbes comic strips or modern cartoons from the New Yorker, cartoons often offer a quick laugh and maybe a nugget of wisdom. Additionally, cartoons have taken on a more political role, as their sharp humor and on-the-nose satire can serve as a form of activism.
In high school, I was assigned a project centered around the theme of "Taking a Stand in History." I'm a big fan of political artists who often push for change and gain support in abstract ways without relying on large, formal institutions. That said, I created a cohesive project on Thomas Nast, widely known as the "Father of the American Cartoon."
Nast used his drawings to communicate with everyday people, ultimately helping to bring down the infamous Tammany Hall political machine. Nast's choice of medium was intentional and clever, as many immigrants at the time struggled to read. Therefore, Nast used universally understood illustrations to inform the working class about the widespread political corruption around them. Now, over 100 years after his death, political cartoons remain common thanks to Nast's pioneering efforts and continue to play a role in fighting corruption.
Project Overview
My goal was to create a synthesis project of Thomas Nast's work, highlighting his innovative methods and ultimately his impact on history. To achieve this, I built a website that serves as a hub for my findings and as a platform to visually display Nast's illustrations.
Unique Factors / Challenges
The main challenge of the project was finding primary sources that contained Nast's work. Since much of Nast's original work was published over 150 years ago, most information about his work comes from secondary sources. To address this, I contacted various archival institutions to access old copies of magazines like Harper's Weekly, where many of Nast's original works appeared.
Achievements & Outcome
First place in the 2017 North Carolina National History Day Competition
Ninth Place in the global National History Day Competition held in Washington, D.C.