This clip was developed as a post-World War Two cartoon to promote American unity towards the communist countries of the Soviet Union, China, and their satellites. I think it demonstrates American political culture in two ways. First it shows a belief in “American values” as better than those of other locations. Secondly, although not intended in the cartoon, it demonstrates what sort of political values were generally acceptable in American culture at the time that have now changed. In the clip we are shown a series of American rights such as the right to own property, have a fair trial, and prevent unlawful entry into our homes. These are ones protected by government, but we also see at the very beginning cultural values as well. A young boy and girl are allowed to dance together and touch one another – seemingly normal in the U.S. but forbidden in many other cultures. The cartoon goes on to explain some basic tenets of capitalism then contrast these with what would happen if the State, a singular government, owned all the means of production and was the sole arbiter of human expression. In the end the character John Q. Public rallies the major components of capitalism (union member, manager and so forth) to chase out a person who is trying to divide these characters. Patriotic music and images are in the final seconds. I find it revealing that the cartoon focused so much on economics in the defense of American political values because in terms of civil rights, such as those mentioned in the first minutes, many were denied to Blacks, Latinos, and other non-white Americans at this time. I also found the role of women interesting. The whistling at the witness was seemed oddly accepted, but later there was a female capitalist. The cartoon is a good depiction of American political culture because it strongly argues that the American system is better than other systems, although it doesn’t name those directly, instead shows them several times with imagery (the Gross Domestic Product Chart at 6:45 is pretty easy to figure out). Chasing out the Ism-salesman was clearly a choice for a particular kind of politics.
Five discussion questions for my students:
- Why do you think the cartoon focuses so much on capitalism as the right way to organize a nation?
- Were there any shocking moments in the cartoon? Why or why not?
- What examples of what it means to be American does the cartoon make?
- What ethical importance do you give John Q. Public’s speech starting about 8:35 about pitting one of us against one another? Do you think this is a political speech in any way?
- Wouldn’t the civil rights movement to come a decade later expose “race hatred” so does this mean the makers of the cartoon would consider the Civil Rights movement unAmerican?