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JM-160: The Christmas Carol that was not rehearsed
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This cartoon highlights and humorizes the lack of agreement between President Woodrow Wilson and his Secretary of State, Robert Lansing. In December of 1916, President Wilson issued a peace note, explaining his position on the United States involvement in World War I. President Wilson wished to help negotiate peace talks between the allies and Germany, which had been recently suggested by Germany. President Wilson also wished to keep the United State a neutral party within World War I, not providing military support to either side. In this peace note, Lansing offered an addendum saying, "The United States already in the war economically, was being drawn in militaristically." This caused a great upset in the Wilson administration as the President tried to emphasize the need for peace without completely discrediting his Secretary of State. The cartoon highlights this discomfort by showing Lansing and President Wilson essentially singing a different tune. A shocked Uncle Sam (citizens of the United States) sits listening to the pair and is unsure what to think of the spectacle. This cartoon uses Christmas carols as a humorous reminder that this incident occurred within the week before Christmas in December of 1916, less than six months before the United States would eventually enter World War I. (Summary created by Mary Delano, MU History Intern, Spring 2018)
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JM-144: Peace Talk
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In the first panel, capital and labor are in an argument. This is a personification of the series of labor disputes between workers and large business owners that were a common product of the Industrial Revolution. Usually these disputes were about implementing better employment practices such as better wages, workers’ compensation, safety regulations, etc. This argument is delaying the train of 1916, which holds the economic prosperity the United States experienced due to it funding and manufacturing supplies for the European nations fighting in World War I. Uncle Sam, the United States, is attempting to resolve the conflict between Labor and Capital, so they can become ready to experience the prosperity 1916 is bringing. Notice the bottom notation says this “peace” is necessary. The second panel portrays a wide view of the world with the United States on the left and Europe on the right. On the left, Uncle Sam (the United States) is being asked by humanity to intervene and mediate in Europe. This exchange references those who thought the United States had a moral duty to help end World War I in Europe. On the right side of the panel, is a depiction of the World War I conflict being shielded from the glow of peace (the sun). The Allies (Britain, France, Italy) are fighting with the Teutons (Germany and its allies with Germanic roots). Looming over this fight are the personifications of financial and physical death. This shows the devastation World War I has caused in Europe. The last panel depicts the internal debate between politicians in the US about what action should be taken regarding European intervention. On the left, “progressive” politicians pull the elephant ( the Republican party) towards peace, meaning they want the US government to help European nations negotiate a peace. Notice the Progressive politician is dressed in relatively simple clothing, which suggests he appeals more the common man. The “old guard” politician is pulling the Republican party away from peace, meaning he wishes the United States to remain neutral and not intervene in World War I. He is dressed more upscale, which suggests his ideas represent the older, more wealthy population that is profiting on the war. (Summary created by Mary Delano, MU History Intern, Spring 2018)
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JM-140: Proposed solution to the disputed problem. 140
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This cartoon depicts the potential candidates for the Republican primary election of 1912. The first candidate portrayed on the left is President Taft, who was running for re-election. The second candidate is James Sherman’s, President Taft’s former vice president. The next candidate is a senator from Massachusetts, Boies Penrose. William Barnes, Jr., a politician and journalist from New York, is displayed as a potential runner. The last candidate depicted in the cartoon is Winthrop Crane, another senator from Massachusetts. All these men appear to be eager to run in the Republican primary in the top panel. However, some of these men are accused of being fraudulent candidates. This means they have been accused of not actually been favored by the public to run for the presidency To ensure their legitimacy, a man suggests a preferential primary. A preferential primary is an election that determines the nominee for the presidency through the preference of voters or through delegates (these delegates most vote for the winning primary candidate). The practice of a preferential primary contradicts against the tradition of political bosses attempting to organize the outcome of elections. The candidates of the elections all find this news distressing in the bottom panel. (Summary created by Mary Delano, MU History Intern, Spring 2018)
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JM-157: Death takes a man named "Bobs"
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This cartoon depicts Lord Roberts, a prestigious military officer from Great Britain who served all around the world, most heavily in India. Lord Roberts was greatly respected by his colleagues, and he was admired by the common people of Britain. He was also one of the few military officers who warned of the impending war with Germany -- World War I -- as early as 1908. In this cartoon, Lord Roberts is identified by his nickname, "Bobs" on the front of his uniform. This cartoon shows Lord Roberts being led away by death. Death himself has his head hanging while carrying what is assumed to be Lord Roberts' sword. This is a portrayal of his death when visiting Indian soldiers fighting at the front at St. Olmer’s in France during World War I. Lord Roberts contracted pneumonia and died shortly after contracting the disease. John McCutcheon personally knew Lord Roberts and described him as "as an alert and spry little man with ruddy cheeks, courteous and deferential to the degree of courtier, energetic in his manners and conversation, and with a character as beautiful and lovable as some ancient hero drawn with the pen of an idealist." This cartoon depicts one of the millions of lives lost in World War I. (Summary created by Mary Delano, MU History Intern, Spring 2018)
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JM-192: Nope!
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This cartoon shows President Woodrow Wilson boarding a train. Uncle Sam is attempting to also board the train, but it seems he does not have a reservation. The bag President Wilson is carrying is titled, “League Covenant”. This bag most likely refers to President Wilson’s ambition to form the League of Nations, an collection of nations working together to create international unity. The League of Nations existed from 1920 to 1946. The United States never officially joined the League of Nations, because congress feared its membership would limit the United States’ national sovereignty. At the time, many Americans suggested joining the League of Nations would not benefit the United States. However, there was also a population of Americans, including Woodrow Wilson, who believed The League of Nations’ efforts towards international peace would offer great benefits to the United States. (Summary created by Mary Delano, MU History Intern, Spring 2018)
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