As I was flipping through the People’s Daily from the 1950s recently, something completely unrelated to my research caught my attention[1]: political cartoons regarding foreign policy. Ironically, unlike most American political cartoons, People’s Daily cartoons (at least from this time period) are almost exclusively about foreign policy, specifically the West’s interference in the non-Western world.
I’ve reproduced a few of my favorites below.[2] I think what I find most striking about these cartoons is how incredibly astute they are. I guess reading through the People’s Daily, one would expect to find nothing but propaganda, and while these views are a bit biased, they are not really incorrect, or even necessarily unbalanced.
[2]I apologize for the horrible angle/cutting of these photos, I’m not a photographer
"Making your own bed (or eating your own fruit)." From 人民日报， November 19th, 1956. The top caption reads "invading Egypt" and the bottom caption reads "the Middle East oil pipeline is blown up."
"Passing the torch." From 人民日报， November 6th, 1956. The torch reads "invasion" and the sign reads "Egypt"
"2 advertisements, 1 boss." From 人民日报， October 22nd, 1956. The signs read "Please choose the Republican party" and "Please choose the Democratic party" respectively.
"The new 火牛计." From 人民日报, Nov. 1, 1956. The bull is labeled Israel, which is jumping over the fence titled "Egypt," and is being spurred on by France and England
"Charity." From 人民日报， October 15th, 1956. The barrel reads "US/Arab oil company" the carpet reads "Saudi/American special policy" and the bag they throw reads "charity fee"
Piquant pictures!
There’s a great set of PRC editorial cartoons at http://www.ep.tc/chinese-comics/13.html
I particularly like the ones — numbers 10 & 11 — which show Japanese Prime Minister Kishi with a nuclear kimono and head dress.