The Cartoons

The Political Cartoons

Dr. Seuss attacked many people and events in his political cartoons. He covered Adolf Hitler,

Benito Mussolini, Joseph Stalin, Pierre Laval, the Japanese, Charles Coughlin, the United

States’ aid to the British, and promoting racial tolerance. Although Seuss advocated for many

things, the most important of his cartoons were about isolationists, America First, and Charles

Lindbergh because these topics helped push the United States into World War II. ​​​​​​​

There are many elements that define Dr. Seuss’

 political cartoons. One example is the animals

that Dr. Seuss frequently drew in his cartoons.

In almost all of the cartoons with the United

States, Dr. Seuss depicted America as an Uncle

Sam eagle. This character, shown on the right in

the tree, doesn’t look much like an eagle but

does have a beard, and a hat with stars and

stripes. Another organization, America First, is

constantly depicted as an ostrich which

 symbolizes innocence. These portrayals show

how Dr. Seuss viewed these groups. "On looking

birds and other creatures [also] play important

roles in Dr. Seuss' wartime cartoons." (Richard

Minear) These animals show extra emotion in

his cartoons and demonstrate Dr. Seuss'

attitude about the events in a certain cartoon. ​​​​

["Hey! Hide if you have to, but by thunder, stop nibbling!" 1941, UC San Diego Library.]

Some of the cartoons reveal how Dr. Seuss worried that the United States was letting Hitler, the Nazis

and other threats enter into America. Seuss usually portrayed Hitler with

or around the United States. Many cartoons include a portrayal of an unaware America First. ​​​​​​​

["Haf you a match, ja?" 1941, UC San Diego Library.]

["Relatives? Nah . . . Just three fellers going for a ride, 1941, UC San Diego Library.]

Other cartoons deal with the United States’ lack of readiness for war. Dr. Seuss points towards

isolationists for this sense of carelessness. Lindy Ostrich Service, referring to Charles Lindbergh and America First, is giving out

ostrich hats. With the ostrich hat, the people in the cartoon can stick their heads in the ground and forget about the threats in the

United States. PM advocated that this carelessness would give Hitler an opportunity to attack the United States. ​​​​​​​

["Ho hum! When he's finished pecking down that last tree he'll quite likely be tired." 1941, UC San Diego Library."]

[We always were suckers for ridiculous hats . . . 1941, UC San Diego Library.]

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