by 
The Curious Bag
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The political cartoon has a long history as a means for visually expressing political opinions. A mainstay in magazines and newspapers, political cartoons can inform, satirize and even persuade readers toward a particular point of view.
Function
Political cartoons act as a visual medium for expressing a point of view about political figures or issues, often in a humorous or satirical manner.
Identification
Most political cartoons (also known as editorial cartoons) appear on the editorial or op-ed pages of newspapers, in which columnists and the newspaper's editorial board express opinions. Some politically oriented comic strips, such as Garry Trudeau's "Doonesbury," appear in the comics section.
History
During the 18th century, political cartoons in the American colonies satirized the British government and expressed the colonists' desire for independence.
Features
The cartoons often contain caricatured--often unflattering--portrayals of prominent political figures, such as U.S. presidents. They often use visual metaphors to portray complicated political issues.
Famous Ties
Nineteenth-century cartoonist Thomas Nast became famous for caricatures of political figures, such as Tammany Hall leader Boss Tweed. Nast's cartoons appeared in Harper's Weekly.
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