The 'Kaiser Cartoon', 1914-1918: A transnational comic art genre

Abstract

It would not be controversial to claim that the German Kaiser, Wilhelm II (r.1888-1918) was the most visible and well-known public figure in the world between 1914 and 1918.' Already by the outbreak of war, the Kaiser had established an unparalleled public role as speech-maker, publicist for Germany's national destiny and representative figurehead ofthe German Empire. Paradoxically - both at home and abroad - this role was frustrated, as well as enhanced, by the negative publicity he attracted, and particularly via the satirical version of the Kaiser promulgated by cartoonists. To friend and foe alike, Wilhelm II seemed 'the very incarnation of the "waxing vigour" of his nation'. His upturned moustache and enthusiasm for 'stormy declarations, spectacular voyages and military display' ensured that he was a gift to cartoonists of all kinds. With several significant modifications - and based very much on a new, far more critical appreciation of his pre-war image - this was a comic role that continued into wartime caricature. ... Although such images are already very familiar to the historian of the Great War, they have tended to be lumped together with other forms of press reportage, or - aside from the notable comparative contribution by Jost Rebentisch - analysed only in the individual national contexts in which they appeared. A more in-depth analysis of these cartoons in their own right reveals that the cartoon Kaiser was a far more complex character than is generally appreciated, and moreover was one that transcended British, French or other cartooning traditions to become the world's first globally-recognised cartoon character.