Cartoon 5 - The American Rattlesnake

Paul Cooney
Mr. Decarlo
AP American
September 13, 2006








1. Interpret the cartoon. What historical event/issue is being represented?
After the British defeat at Yorktown, peace talks in Paris began in April 1782 between Richard Oswarld representing Great Britain and the American Peace Commissioners Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, and John Adams. The preliminary articles of peace were signed on November 30, 1782. The Treaty of Paris, formally ending the war, was not signed until September 3, 1783 and the Continental Congress in Annapolis, Maryland, did not ratify the Treaty of Paris until January 14 of the next year, in 1984.
2. What is the message that the cartoonist is trying to convey? Which side of the issue does he support?
Published in April of 1782 when peace negotiations began, James Gillray intended to convey the message that the colonists clearly had control over the British in Revolutionary War. Gillray remains a bit neutral in his political standing, as he is simply gives a view of the Revolutionary War. The British are clearly loosing, represented by the snake’s coils tightly wrapped around them, and the snake has yet another coil ready to trap any other enemies.
3. What effect(s) did this cartoon have on American History? What were the results of this issue being addressed?
Not long after this political cartoon was published, the Treaty of Paris was signed ending the war. This cartoon must have had some influence in the general public’s feelings about the war, as there was an outcry for peace. The English people eventually lost faith and motivation for the war in the colonies.