Chapter 6: Reconstruction "King Andy"

Introduction
Students have read about the impeachment and trial of President Andrew Johnson. In this lesson, students will determine a political cartoonist's view of the process by analyzing his cartoons.

Lesson Description
Students will examine two of Thomas Nast's political cartoons regarding the impeachment and trial of Andrew Johnson. They will answer four questions about these cartoons and then create a political cartoon of their own about any subject discussed in this chapter.

Instructional Objectives
1. Students will learn to analyze political cartoons and determine the cartoonist's message.
2. Students will learn to use their knowledge about political cartoons to create one of their own.

Student Web Activity Answers
1. Uncle Sam represents the U.S. government.
2. He sees himself as bigger and more important than the nation's governmental institutions. Nast is telling Johnson that he is not bigger than the government.
3. Nast portrays Johnson as a king or tyrant.
4. Nast characterizes the remainder of Johnson's term following the impeachment as boring and uneventful. Johnson was so weakened after his impeachment trial that he was unable to accomplish much.
5. Students' cartoons should show a knowledge of the subject they address.

GO TO STUDENT ACTIVITY