The monograph examines the evolution of the American political cartoon of the 19th century as the most important factor in propaganda and agitation, a powerful weapon in the party-political struggle. Against the background of the country's political history, the monograph for the first time provides an analysis of the state and development of the art of satirical graphics, successively from “Jeffersonian democracy” to the presidential elections of 1876. The main attention is paid to the party-political struggle in intense presidential election campaigns. The work focuses on the work of such outstanding US cartoonists as William Charles, Edward Clay, Henry Robinson, John Magee, Frank Bellew, Louis Maurer, Thomas Nast. The monograph is intended for students, for generalists in the humanities, for anyone who studies US history and is interested in American history and culture.