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Title: JM-149: Conundrum of the California Alien Land Law. 149
Summary: The top panel of this cartoon depicts a little girl, “states’ rights” crying over the grave of free silver. “Free silver” refers to the concept of the free coinage of silver, which was a popular idea for public policy among populists and other groups. Those in favor of free coinage of silver would argue that it would increase the circulation of currency, which would make wages higher and loan easier to obtain. Those against the free silver policy typically supported the gold standard, which was officially adopted by the United States in 1879. The gold standard limits the coinage of silver and other currency in circulation, because all currency must defined in the value of gold. Proponents of the gold standard argued it stabilized American currency, which allowed business to function. William Jennings Bryan, an influential American politician and Secretary of State (1913-1915), was an outspoken supporter of the free silver policy. In the top panel, William Jennings Bryan is abandoning states rights to go to California. William Jennings Bryan became involved with attempting to block discriminatory legislation against Japanese immigrants in California, such as the California Alien Land Law. This law placed restrictions of Japanese immigrants’ legal ability to acquire and own property. Such discriminatory laws created a tense diplomatic relationship with Japan. As Secretary of State, William Jennings Bryan attempted to limit the impact of such legislation to improve relations between the United States and Japan. The idea behind many of these discriminatory laws in seen in the bottom panel. (Summary created by Mary Delano, MU History Intern, Spring 2018)

Title: JM-148: Japan objects to the weapon which he himself has never hesitated to use. 148
Summary: This cartoon personifies United States relations with Japan in 1913. Japan is criticizing California for employing Japanese exclusion laws. These laws are most likely a reference to the California Alien Land Law of 1913. This law prohibited "aliens ineligible for citizenship" from owning agricultural land or possessing long-term leases, but permitted short-term leases lasting up to three years. This act was problematic for diplomatic relations with Japan, as it directly discriminated against Japanese citizens. This law also limited the number of Japanese immigrants to come to the US. While this law actually had little tangible backlash on Japanese citizens, it caused a large amount of tension between Japan and the US. Japan is also illustrated wielding the weapon of exclusion laws. In response to California's discrimination laws, Japan threatened to begin creating policies, which would discriminate against Americans. (Summary created by Mary Delano, MU History Intern, Spring 2018)

Title: JM-151: The President is working on his message. 151
Summary: This cartoon shows President Woodrow Wilson drafting his first States of the Union address to Congress. President Wilson was inaugurated on March 4, 1913, and he was the first president from the democratic party to be elected since Grover Cleveland left the office in 1897. President Wilson’s desk with ideas he wishes to accomplish while in office. Woodrow Wilson was a leader in the Progressive movement, which proposed society could be improved through legislative reform. President Wilson took office shortly before the beginning of World War I on July 28, 1914. (Summary created by Mary Delano, MU History Intern, Spring 2018)

Title: JM-154: Huerta and Félix Díaz
Summary: This cartoon shows McCutcheon’s interpretation of events occurring in Mexico in 1913. In 1911, Francisco Madero was elected as President of Mexico defeating Mexico’s long time dictator, Porfirio Diaz. After a period of Civil War in Mexico, Madero gained full control of the country from Diaz, who eventually fled to France. Francisco Madero appointed one of Porfirio Diaz’s generals, Victoriano Huerta, to his inner circle. Shortly after this appointment, Huerta seized power and killed Madero and his vice president, Pino Suarez. Huerta partnered with Felix Diaz, the brother of Porfirio Diaz, to successfully complete his coup. Huerta and Diaz are drawn laughing at the claim an investigation will be made into the deaths of Madero and Suarez. Huerta eventually sought to take complete control of Mexico and forced Felix Diaz from power soon after they overtook the government. Huerta's violent betrayal sparked international outrage, causing most countries to condemn Mexico’s new government. The United States denounced Huerta’s regime, and the United States government would later support the Mexican revolutionaries who would fight against Huerta. The cartoon also directs the viewer’s attention to a conversation between Huerta and Sir Lionel Carden, Great Britain’s diplomat to Mexico. The drawing shows Great Britain's support of Huerta and his regime despite his vicious actions against leaders in Mexico. (Summary created by Mary Delano, MU History Intern, Spring 2018)

Title: JM-152: Make the punishment fit the crime. 152
Summary: Editorial cartoon depicting a congressman proposing that an import duty of a thousand percent be levied on Parisian furniture and works of art, using Ex-Senator Nelson Wilmarth Aldrich as a punchline to talk about the Federal Reserve Act of 1913 that was strongly influenced by the Aldrich–Vreeland Act passed in response to the Knickerbocker Crisis of 1907.

Title: JM-153: Still looking for de Valera. 153
Summary: Editorial cartoon depicting John Bull, the Uncle Sam of the United Kingdom, looking for Éamon de Valera, an Irish political leader rumored to have been a British spy.

Title: JM-150: Japanese Haggling. 150
Summary: This cartoon depicts a Japanese immigrant attempting to buy property from a white man. As negotiations continue, more Japanese owned stores appear in the background of the the cartoon.Eventually the white man’s disposition shifts from enraged to eager as he finally accepts the offer. This cartoon is offering perspective on the relationship between Japanese immigrants and white Americans in the United States, particularly California. The California Alien Land Law of 1913 was passed the same year this cartoon was created.This law prohibited "aliens ineligible for citizenship" from owning agricultural land or possessing long-term leases, but permitted short-term leases lasting up to three years. This law did not have a large tangible impact on Japanese citizens. However, the law remains relevant, because it reflects the discrimination against Japanese immigrants occuring in the 1910s. (Summary created by Mary Delano, MU History Intern, Spring 2018)