May's Visual Primary Source for the History Classroom

Helen Keller: "With their hands they have builded great cities and they cannot be sure of a roof over their own heads." Franklin Booth, The Unemployed (February, 1931) — Helen Keller: "With their hands they have built great
cities and now they cannot be sure of a roof over their own heads."
Franklin Booth, *The Unemployed* (February, 1931)

Question: In 1929 only 1.5 million people in the United States were out of work; by 1931 it had reached 8 million. In many areas the situation was even worse than these figures imply. In industrial cities like Chicago, for example, over 40% of the work-force was unemployed. How does this information help to explain what Helen Keller meant when she said: "With their hands they have built great cities and now they cannot be sure of a roof over their own heads."

David Low, Reflections (1920) — David Low, *Reflections* (1920)

Question: During the 1918 General Election campaign, David Lloyd George promised comprehensive reforms to deal with education, housing, health and transport. However, he was now a prisoner of the Conservative Party who had no desire to introduce these reforms. Low attacked Lloyd George for betraying his radical past in the cartoon, Reflections, he refered to a speech Lloyd George had made on 30th July 1909 at Limehouse in the East End of London, where "he had bitterly attacked dukes, landlords, capitalists - the whole of the upper classes". How does David Low show his lack of respect for Lloyd George in the cartoon.

Philip Zec, "The Aces who never fly" The Daily Mirror (15th July, 1943) — Philip Zec, "The Aces who never fly" *The Daily Mirror* (15th July, 1943)

Question: Explain the meaning of Philip Zec's cartoon?

Leonard Raven-Hill, Punch Magazine (10th July, 1912) — Leonard Raven-Hill, *Punch Magazine* (10th July, 1912)

Question: This cartoon concerns David Lloyd George's National Insurance Act. Is Leonard Raven-Hill for or against the Act?

Leonard Raven-Hill, Punch Magazine (2nd October, 1912) — Leonard Raven-Hill, *Punch Magazine* (2nd October, 1912)
Excelsior! Suffragist: "It's no good talking to me about Sisyphus. He was only a man!"

Question: "Excelsior" is Latin for "Higher". What is the meaning of this cartoon? What happened to make the woman's task easier?

Michael Cummings, Sunday Express (9th July 1967) — Michael Cummings, *Sunday Express* (9th July 1967)

Question: in the summer of 1967 Harold Wilson and his Labour government was in the process of passing a Race Relations Act that would make it illegal to refuse housing, employment, or public services to a person on the grounds of colour, race, ethnic or national origins. What was Michael Cummings view on this legislation?

George Cruikshank, A Free Born Englishman (1819) — Will Dyson, *The Daily Herald* (1913)
LABOUR WANTS A "PLACE IN THE SUN"!
CAPITAL (deeply shocked at Labour's efforts to emerge): "Back to
your abyss, Sir! As it is already there is scarcely enough sun to go round!"

Question: How does this cartoon explain the political opinions of Will Dyson and the The Daily Herald newspaper?