Political Cartoon #1 - the American Rattlesnake

1. Interpret the cartoon. What historical event/issue is being represented?

The cartoon, “The American Rattlesnake” is an etching by James Gillray, and was published in London by W. Humphrey in April of 1782. The coils of the rattlesnake encircle two British troops. It is implied that these are the British troops from the battles at Yorktown and Saratoga. The historical event being represented is the coming end of the American Revolution since this was published when peace negotiations were beginning to take place.

2. What is the message that the cartoonist is trying to convey? Which side of the issue does he support?
James Gillray is trying to convey that any further British efforts to supress the Americans would be futile. The caption at the bottoms reads, “Britons within the Yankeean Plains, Mind how ye March & Trench, The Serpent in the congress reigns, As well as in the French.” Which further emphasizes the confidence of Gillray that the Americans will come out on top. The rattlesnake has been tattooed on the tongue with, “Two British Armies I have thus Burgoyn'd, And room for more I've got behind." A sign has been drawn over the third coil; "An Apartment to Lett for Military Gentlemen." This demonstrates how the Americans felt they would have been able to capture yet another British army in addition to the two the Congenital Army had already taken. At this point many Americans were on top of the world, in the sense that as thirteen “little, weak, and young” colonies, they had basically defeated the “big, scary wolf” a.k.a. Britain.

3. What effect(s) did this cartoon have on American History? What were the results of this issue being addressed?
This cartoon along with Benjamin Franklin’s cartoon “Join or Die”, represented the symbol of freedom for many revolutionary Americans. It was said, “That the snake is solitary, but rallies together for defense; it never strikes first but is an implacable opponent once aroused.” This cartoon helped boost the moral of the colonists in the last stages of the Revolution. Though the cartoon did not directly facilitate the winning of the Revolution against the British, it helped instill confidence in Americans.