New Books Network Simon Appleford, "Drawing Liberalism: Herblock's Political Cartoons in Postwar America" (U Virginia Press, 2023)
Nov 21, 2025
Simon Appleford, an Associate Professor of History at Creighton University, dives into the world of Herbert Block, famously known as Herblock, who defined political cartooning in postwar America. Appleford discusses how Herblock's anti-communism influenced the Democratic Party and introduced the term 'McCarthyism' to the lexicon. He critiques Herblock's portrayal of civil rights, noting its limitations, and explores his evolving relationship with Richard Nixon amidst political upheaval. The power of Herblock's visual narratives, Appleford argues, shaped public perception far beyond words.
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Cartoons Translate Elite Ideas
- Simon Appleford explains political cartoons translate elite liberal ideas into accessible visuals for broad publics.
- Herblock served as that translator across five decades, shaping popular understanding of postwar liberalism.
Nuanced Anti-Communism
- Appleford maps Herblock's complex anti-communism: supportive of exposing Soviet influence but hostile to McCarthy's tactics.
- Herblock coined and visualized "McCarthyism," fixing its meaning in the public mind.
Civil Rights Framed As Institutional Progress
- Herblock championed civil rights but framed change as coming from white liberal leaders and Congress rather than Black activists.
- His cartoons often omitted Black agency, reinforcing incremental reform under establishment terms.
