This edited collection of new research highlights the way in which the cartoon - long regarded as a staple of journalism and freedom of expression - faces new challenges in the twenty-first century that can be far better understood and appreciated if one takes an historical perspective. Current debates over the limits of freedom of expression, 'political correctness', and 'cancel culture' all have their precedents in past controversies over cartoons and caricature; indeed there is a definite continuum between these past instances of debate and their present manifestations.

Chapters 2 and 10 are available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.

Richard Scully is Professor in Modern History at the University of New England, Australia.

Paulo Jorge Fernandes is Assistant Professor in History at Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Portugal.

Ritu Gairola Khanduri is Associate Professor in Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Texas at Arlington, USA.