Australian
Screen

Teacher’s notes

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This black-and-white clip shows an animated political cartoon satirising German claims of how unfair it was that fighting in the First World War was continuing in spite of Germany having made a peace offer. The clip opens with the cartoon’s title card and footage of the cartoonist Harry Julius sketching. A hand writes the headline that provoked the cartoon and then the title of the cartoon, ‘THE HUN’S XMAS WAIL’. This is followed by a caricature of Kaiser Wilhelm portrayed as an outraged child clutching toys, the European nations Germany had invaded.

Educational value points

• The animated cartoon uses satire to highlight Germany’s hypocrisy in suggesting that it is the peacemaker while not relinquishing the countries it has occupied. Germany’s ruler, Kaiser Wilhelm II (1859–1941), represents his country depicted as a spoilt and hysterical child unwilling to return toys he has taken. The cartoon reminds its audience that Germany was responsible for invading European nations and therefore responsible for initiating hostilities.

• Throughout the First World War (1914–18) there were many diplomatic efforts to end the fighting and the cartoon probably refers to German offers made in 1915 or 1916 for an armistice to be followed by a round table negotiation of terms under which the War would be concluded as a 'draw’ with Germany keeping some of its gains and giving up others. All such German offers from 1915 to early 1918 were rejected.

• Caricature is used effectively in this animated cartoon to diminish the dignity and authority of Germany’s head of state. The distinctive upturned moustache, together with the pointed helmet and uniform of the commander-in-chief, depict Wilhelm II, the subject of the caricature. His portrayal as a hysterical child wanting to keep his stolen toys ridicules the ambivalence shown at the time as one wanting peace but also wanting to achieve a military victory.

• This animated cartoon is an example of wartime propaganda during the First World War (1914–18), manipulating the emotions and morale of Australian audiences at a critical time when there was a recruitment drive for more volunteers to enlist in Australia’s armed services. Satire is used to ridicule the enemy, making Germany seem more despicable, less powerful but intent on continuing to fight.

• The title footage gives an indication of Australia’s image of its role in the First World War. The lion representing Great Britain and the kangaroo representing Australia are both in uniform, as befits two nations engaged in a war. They shake hands across a globe indicating their friendship and their shared goals despite the distance that separates them.

• The cartoon shows the distinctive style of Australian artist and cartoonist Harry Julius (1885–1938). After the title card footage he is seen sketching. Showing himself at work was a common way for Julius to introduce his animated cartoons. News headlines frequently provided him with ideas for his satire. In his animated cartoons, such as this one, his hand is frequently shown writing headlines or captions and adding detail to the drawings.

• The clip is an example of a primary source, that is, an original document, in this case from the First World War illustrating the artist’s point of view as well as that of his employer, the Australasian Gazette. Harry Julius was employed as a cartoonist to produce a weekly segment screened as part of Australasian Gazette newsreels from about 1914 to 1918 supporting Australia’s involvement in the War and also supporting conscription.