3.2.3 Exemplar: Analyzing the Ideological Perspective
Completion requirements
3.2.3 Exemplar: Analyzing the Ideological Perspective
www.harpweek.com "Peace with a War Measure" by Thomas Nast, published in Harper's Weekly, 1878.
Consider how the follow techniques are used by the artist:
Symbolism
Standing tall in the harbour, the Statue of Liberty symbolizes America traditionally. The weight and the ball and chains symbolize the heavy burden and lack of freedom that income tax will impose on America.Labelling
The Statue is labelled the "slave" of liberty rather than the "statue" of liberty. The weight around her neck is labelled "income tax". The factory in the background is labelled with many signs, showing greater controls on industry, and the boat in the harbour is labelled "America".Interpret the source. The interpretation of the source has two parts.
1. Identify the perspective.
Consider the context. The context will provide you with clues to help you interpret the source. What are the circumstances surrounding the event or situation in the source? Draw on your knowledge of history and ideologies to understand the source.
Use details from the source to help you understand the following:
Where did this occur?
United States-represented by the Statue of Liberty
When did it occur?
1878 - when the government was trying to implement income tax outside of war time
Who are the people in the source? What are they doing?
The Statue of Liberty, now entitled the "slave" of liberty
Why was this source created?
It is a cartoon in a political magazine. The cartoonist was expressing disagreement with a proposed bill that would bring in income tax.
What is the main idea reflected in the source?
Income tax will limit freedom.
Explain its connection to liberalism
Taxation is a limit on private property and economic freedom, fundamental principles of liberalism. With taxation comes an increased role for government whereas classical liberalism suggests limited government. It shows one step in the transition from classical liberalism with great personal and economic freedom to a modern liberalism with its greater role for gov ernment and greater concern for the collective interest.
United States-represented by the Statue of Liberty
When did it occur?
1878 - when the government was trying to implement income tax outside of war time
Who are the people in the source? What are they doing?
The Statue of Liberty, now entitled the "slave" of liberty
Why was this source created?
It is a cartoon in a political magazine. The cartoonist was expressing disagreement with a proposed bill that would bring in income tax.
What is the main idea reflected in the source?
Income tax will limit freedom.
Explain its connection to liberalism
Taxation is a limit on private property and economic freedom, fundamental principles of liberalism. With taxation comes an increased role for government whereas classical liberalism suggests limited government. It shows one step in the transition from classical liberalism with great personal and economic freedom to a modern liberalism with its greater role for gov ernment and greater concern for the collective interest.
2. Identify the links to liberalism.
How does the source relate to the principles of liberalism? Show that you understand the principles of liberalism, and the perspectives presented by each source. Write about each source and the specific principles of liberalism separately, or discuss
liberalism more holistically. Consider the following:
What perspective is shown?
Individualist-classical liberalism
Does the source support any of the principles of liberalism? Which ones?
Private property, economic freedom-Taxation is rejected as a form of government interference in the economy that limits personal freedom.
Does the source reject any of the principles of liberalism? Which ones?
Possibly rule of law and individual rights and freedoms, especially positive liberties that might be protected directly or indirectly by government through taxation
Overall, does the source support liberalism? Or is resistance to liberalism identified by support for another ideology such as socialism, fascism, communism, religious fundamentalism, or environmentalism?
Tihe source supports classical liberalism and rejects modern liberalism because he shows how greater taxes will make a "slave" out of "liberty".
Individualist-classical liberalism
Does the source support any of the principles of liberalism? Which ones?
Private property, economic freedom-Taxation is rejected as a form of government interference in the economy that limits personal freedom.
Does the source reject any of the principles of liberalism? Which ones?
Possibly rule of law and individual rights and freedoms, especially positive liberties that might be protected directly or indirectly by government through taxation
Overall, does the source support liberalism? Or is resistance to liberalism identified by support for another ideology such as socialism, fascism, communism, religious fundamentalism, or environmentalism?
Tihe source supports classical liberalism and rejects modern liberalism because he shows how greater taxes will make a "slave" out of "liberty".