Teaching the Twentieth Century

Darling's editorial cartoons are considered primary sources. To view Darling's cartoons from the 20th century is to experience history in real time.

"Ding" Darling, a Pulitzer-winning editorial cartoonist, was at heart an educator. The subjects he covered included conservation of natural resources, history, economics, human nature, government, and war and peace. When a student recognizes problems that he or she had thought unique to our own time and realizes that they are old problems, appreciation of the value of history grows.

Although educators are free to use Darling's cartoons to construct their own lesson plans for use within the classroom, the following sample lesson plans have been constructed as examples using National Standards for Civics and Government, 9–12 Standards:

9–12 Content Standards, V (c) What are the responsibilities of citizens?
                Example 1. Complete lesson plan. 481102
                Example 2. Complete lesson plan. 261101
                Example 3. Complete lesson plan. 300313
                Example 4. Cartoon only. 290525)

Please note that cartoon links also indicate the first date of publication, using the date format YYMMDD. For example, 290525 above indicates May 25, 1929.

9–12 Content Standards, V (d) What traits of private & public character are important to the preservation and improvement of American constitutional democracy?
Example 1. Cartoon only. 470226
Example 2. Cartoon only. 320810

Cartoon samples for teaching utilizing United States History Standards for Grades 5–12, Era 8, The Great Depression and World War II (1929–1945):

Standard 1. The causes of the Great Depression and how it affected American Society:

        Standard 1A, Grade 5–12, Analyze the causes and consequences of the stock market crash of 1929:
                Example 1. Cartoon only. 290411
                Example 2. Cartoon only. 280329
                Example 3. Cartoon only. 290409

Standard 1 A, Grades 9–12, Explain the global context of the depression and the reasons for worldwide collapse:
Example 1. Cartoon only. 300904

        Standard 1 A, Grades 7–12, Explain the reasons for the deepening crisis of the Great Depression and evaluate the Hoover administration's responses:
                Example 1. Cartoon only. 300405
                Example 2. Cartoon only. 320113

Standard 1 B, Grades 5–12, Explain the effects of the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl on American farm owners, tenants, and sharecroppers:
Example 1. Cartoon only. "As Land Goes"

           Standard 1 B, Grades 7–12, Analyze the impact of the Great Depression on industry and workers and explain the response of local and state officials in combating the resulting economic and social crises.
                Example 1. Cartoon only. 320511
                Example 2. Cartoon only. 321010
                Example 3. Cartoon only. 321124

Standard 3. The causes of World War II, the character of the war at home and abroad, and its reshaping of the U.S. role in world affairs:

           Standard 3 A, Grades 7–12, Explain the breakdown of the Versailles settlement and League of Nations in the 1930s.
                Example 1. Cartoon only. 210103
                Example 2. Cartoon only. 220211
                Example 3. Cartoon only. 220526

Standard 3 A, Grades 5–12, Analyze the reasons for American isolationist sentiment in the interwar period and its effects on international relations and diplomacy:
Example 1. Cartoon only. 400704

National Science Education Standards
Content Standard F: As a result of activities in grades 9-12, all students should develop understanding of:

    •    Personal and community health 241216
    •    Population growth 4709071, 230310
    •    Natural resources 360814, 380626, 230809, 260816
    •    Environmental quality 360814, 230809, 260816
    •    Natural and human-induced hazards 450808, 451109
    •    Science and technology in local, national, and global challenges
          410211, 400606

Please note: A CD-ROM containing over 6,800 of "Ding" Darling's editorial cartoons is available for purchase by educators. Please visit the Web site of the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society or call (239) 472-1100, ext. 233.