History students try their hands at political cartooning

Carson Valley Middle School eighth-graders in Angela Abawi's history class became political cartoonists while studying the American Revolution.

"Students were to use few words and simple sketches to convey a clear and powerful message about the American colonies' struggle against tyrannical Great Britain," Abawi said. "Students rose to the occasion and accomplished the objective by proving that they understood the people, events and outcomes of the Revolutionary War."

Kelsey Endter's cartoon, "Wolf in British Clothing," represents Americans' belief that they should be able to elect those with the power to pass laws and impose taxes. Americans were willing to take on the super power of the 18th Century.

Knowing that they might lose their homes, families and fortunes, the founding fathers, along with other brave Americans, challenged the authority and might of the British Empire.

Miriam Corbett's cartoon, "Small dogs/Big Bears," illustrates the struggle between powerful Great Britain and the disadvantaged American colonies. Despite having fewer soldiers, which were in short supply, the colonies continued to rebel. In the end, the tenacity and courage of the Americans triumphed over the super power.

Chelsea Roybal's cartoon, "Women and Slaves Voting," shows that some Americans were left out of the political process after the war.