A Guide to Primary Resources for U.S. History : Dr. Seuss Went to War University of California, San Diego: Mandeville Special Collections Library This project website presents a series of political cartoons by the legendary Theodor Seuss Geisel ("Dr. Seuss"), who interrupted his promising career as a children's book author and illustrator to help the U.S. government's communication efforts during World War II. (Primary source material). The teacher can hand out a packet of the cartoons and ask students to work in pairs. The students can take turns explaining the cartoon to their partner. In the explanation, the student should talk about the message, the symbols, and the perspective of the cartoon. The teacher can give the students a packet of Dr. Seuss' WWII cartoons and current political cartoons to compare. What was Dr. Seuss' motive in creating his cartoons? What is the current cartoonist's motive? What sort of symbols do each artist use? Are their cartoons convincing?

Dr. Seuss Went to War
University of California, San Diego: Mandeville Special Collections Library

Description: This project website presents a series of political cartoons by the legendary Theodor Seuss Geisel ("Dr. Seuss"), who interrupted his promising career as a children's book author and illustrator to help the U.S. government's communication efforts during World War II. (Primary source material).

Teaching Tips:

"Do Now" Suggestion

The teacher can hand out a packet of the cartoons and ask students to work in pairs. The students can take turns explaining the cartoon to their partner. In the explanation, the student should talk about the message, the symbols, and the perspective of the cartoon.

Suggestion for Using this Resource as Part of a Lesson

The teacher can give the students a packet of Dr. Seuss' WWII cartoons and current political cartoons to compare. What was Dr. Seuss' motive in creating his cartoons? What is the current cartoonist's motive? What sort of symbols do each artist use? Are their cartoons convincing?