The years surrounding World War 2
were devastating for many civilians, as the new power in Germany was not being
utilized to the correct manner. When Hitler first came into power, “…the Nazi
regime helped lower unemployment, boost economic recovery, and bring social and
political order. Opposition to the state was minimal.” Overtime though, the
flaws in the Nazi regime became evident, and brave civilians and groups who did
attempt to stand up to the harsh ruling powers were “rooted out and destroyed”
(Cavendish 53). Those households that had issues surrounding Nazism, kept
quiet, as they knew that standing up to Hitler and his followers would lead to
death. So they suppressed their feelings towards the unjust government in fear
of losing their lives. Heinrich Himmler, who joined the Nazi party in 1925, was
the “individual responsible for overseeing the control over the German people”
(Cavendish 54). He grew the concentration camp systems, and was the SS chief,
in control of not only the police, but also the security systems (Cavendish
55). Hitler’s main issue he wanted to
address and take action towards was the racial struggles present within his own
nation and the world. “Using strategies
ranging from the cult of personality to systematic genocide, Hitler brought
civilians in Germany and wartime occupied Germany to their knees before the
all-powerful Nazi state” (Cavendish 53). Germans were forced to change their
lifestyles, against their will, in order to fit under the new state. “Children
were required to join youth organizations, such as the Hitler youth or the
League of German Maidens. Adults were encouraged to join the Nazi party or to
become part of groups such as the SA. Independent thought and displays of
unusual behavior were discouraged” (Cavendish 59). Any action taken that did
not fall under German regulations was potential danger for citizens committing
the “crime.” On the other end of the spectrum, some believed that “although the
regime limited people’s freedom, most considered this an acceptable price to
pay for order” (Cavendish 61).
During this time, the cartoonist
David Low, was a “fierce opponent of Hitlerand Mussolini, and of the policy of Appeasement” (British Cartoon Archive).
Low drew extremely straightforward images to depict his opinions, which caused great
controversy. “In 1922 and 1923 some of Low's drawings were used on Liberal
Party election posters. In 1924 Lord Beaverbrook invited Low to join his
Conservative Evening Standard, but he refused. Beaverbrook repeated the offer
in 1927, and this time Low accepted, becoming the paper's first-ever political
cartoonist, drawing four cartoons a week” (British Cartoon Archive). This
jumpstarted Low’s career as a cartoonist, and therefore his cartoons were well
known during the time. The public had access to his work and strong opinions,
as he was published in the Evening Standard. Colonel Blimp was one of his
works, which caused great confusion, in regards to the war. It was also
published in the Evening Standard in April 1934. “He helped to create the
reputations of those he cartooned” (British Cartoon Archive). “Low was perhaps
the most influential political cartoonist and caricaturist of the twentieth
century - he produced over 14,000 drawings in a career spanning fifty years and
was syndicated worldwide to more than 200 newspapers and magazines” (British
Cartoon Archive).
