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Cartoon Summary : Cartoons Of The Chicago Fire

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This cartoon is depicting the Chicago fire. Rumor has it that a cow started the Chicago fire and that’s exactly what this cartoon is showing. This cartoon was published in 1871 depicting the O’Learys. Specifically Mrs. O’Leary. After the fire it was found by reporter that the O’Learys started the fire in their barn by a cow knocking over a lantern. The cartoon says “supposed” cause of the fire, which leads me to think that this artist also believes what later came out about Mrs. O’Leary. She was later rumored to have started the fire on purpose because city officials cut off her milk selling side business. This cartoon raises a good point by saying supposed in that it could mean Mrs. O’Leary started the fire intentionally or that it maybe was just an accident.

In 1900, when this cartoon was published, is when China was being overcome by western civilizations. The other countries that were controlling China are given sharp teeth and look vicious. China is left helpless on the ground, squished. Imperialism is represented in this picture in that the larger animals have total control over China. China is being taken over by other countries and is left helpless which caused lots of problems in the 1900s. This picture shows how defeated China looks compared to the other countries and how China has no weapons compared to the other animals.

Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis are fighting over a map of America in this cartoon, which was published in 1864. General George

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