DC

1. League ‘gap in the bridge’ cartoon
These real life examples of student answers will help you to improve your understanding
Learner 1:
The overall message of the cartoon 'the Gap in the Bridge' is that without USA, the league of nations will be
weak an unsuccessful at preventing future wars.
In the cartoon, USA is represented by the man in the picture, know as 'uncle Sam' His laid back body posture
gives the impression that America doesn't care about the league of nations. This was because they didn't want
to get into Europe's squabbles again, they wanted to isolate themselves from them. Furthermore the bridge
represents the league of nation, and in the cartoon there is a vital piece missing, which is the keystone. Uncle
Sam is lent against it, and the keystone says USA at the bottom. This means that without USA in the league,
the bridge will collapse as USA is the main way the league will be successful. So, with USA not joining the
league of nations, it will turn out to be a complete failure and will be unsuccessful.
Overall, the cartoon represents the league of nations and how, without USA joining it, will be unsuccessful and
will fail to stop future wars with other countries. This is because USA was one of the strongest countries at the
time, so without out USA the league would be too weak to sort out disputes.
Learner 2
The League of Nations cartoon conveys the message that without the USA, the League of Nations was weak and would be,
along with numerous meanings.

2. Firstly, the cartoon shows a bridge with a man (Uncle Sam) who represents the USA. He is leaning on a keystone to the
unfinished bridge. This represents that America is the missing link in uniting Europe and the world, over the water below
which I believe represents the gap between Europe and the USA and also world peace.. Upon the bridge the initial
members/countries of the league are set (Belgium, France, England, Italy). However in the middle there is a missing piece
,upon which Uncle Sam is leaning. This shows that without the USA, the League of Nation’s bridge is weak and could easily
crumble into the dark waters below.
Secondly, Uncle Sam appears idle and lazy. His body posture proves this as he is slouching lazily. He seems to be not
bothered about the league and keeps the stone a distance away from the bridge. This, I believe represents that the USA
wanted to be isolated and not get mixed into the ancient squabbles of Europe. It should be remembered that just a few years
ago, 100,000 Americans died in the merciless conflict of World War One.
Another reason why America wished to not join the League is that former president, Woodrow Wilson, had previously lost
power and so the American senate, and their new president, had voted to not join the League of Nations. This meant that it
could then isolate itself from the rest of Europe’s petty feuds. Also, that ,probably, many Americans considered the Versailles
treaty unfair and so vied to not join the League of Nations.
Thirdly, the sign at the edge of the bridge shows an image of the planning of the bridge itself. On it is written “The League of
Nations Bridge, was designed by the president of the USA”. This clearly proves that at the time people knew that Wilson had
designed it yet, America was not part of it.The image of the intended bridges design makes it appear powerful and complete.
Learner 3
The message behind the cartoon is that the League of Nations was never going to work without the
input of of the USA.
Firstly, and most obviously, the cartoon depicts a half build bridge with the countries: Belgium, France,
England and Italy written across it. The keystone of the bridge is missing, showing that the bring isn’t
fully complete and that it will not work. The keystone of the bridge is shown at the side of the bridge,
with the country ‘USA’ written on it, showing that USA was not part of the League of Nations. This
suggests that without the USA, the League of Nations was never going to work­ If someone was to use
and rely on the league, it would crumble and fail. I know from my knowledge that when the league
came into use, it did not work as intended.
Secondly, the sign to the left of the bridge says ‘This league of nations bridge was designed by the
president of the USA’. The word ‘president’ on the sign is highlighted, showing that it was the leader of
the whole of the USA who designed the bridge, and how it was almost a humiliation that the design of
the president had failed. Also, the sign shows the a picture of the bridge complete, and showing that
Wilson had intended on the bridge (The League of Nations) being a strong, working, solid structure,
but in actual fact, it was nothing like the design had intended. Wilson had designed a working League,
that in theory had the potential to be an excellent organisation, but in reality the League was
unsuccessful.
Thirdly, the figured sat represents Uncle Sam: the personification of America and the US Government.
Uncle Sam’s body posture is relaxed and calm, which suggests that the USA is not concerned. He is
also smoking a cigar, and leaning on the USA keystone, enforcing the opinion that the USA is not
concerned about the League of Nations failing. I know from my own knowledge that the USA did not
want to make the mistake of getting involved with Europe again, and was not concerned about the
League failing.