Caricatures as propaganda weapons during the First World War

Abstract

This study examines a specific segment of visual propaganda from the First World War, the caricatures of comic papers (German: Kladderadatsch; Austrian: Figaro, Kikieriki, Wiener Caricaturen and Die Muskete; Hungarian: Borsszem Jankó and Mátyás Diák). It focuses on the visual tools used by cartoonists to depict the enemy, how they employed visual propaganda, and whether this met the criteria of effective propaganda. By way of comparison, it also briefly discusses some elements of the self-image. The symbols of the First World War cartoons still closely followed 19th century trends: cartoonists commented on the events of the war by depicting and exaggerating ancient myths, biblical stories, women representing countries and men and animals representing nations. This study will attempt a systematic analysis of these motifs and symbols.