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)

Editorial cartoon depicting Wilson holding reins titled "Wilson policies" of a donkey heading toward the San Francisco Convention, where Bryan is placing a flag of his policies.

This cartoon compares three speeches. The first speech on the left was Patrick Henry's famous speech, in which he stated "Give me liberty or give me death!". This speech was given on the eve of the Revolutionary War. The second speech was by Stephen Decatur, a commodore in the United States Navy. Decatur's speech was given at the conclusion of the War of 1812. The final speech was given by Private Sammy Jones during World War I. (Summary created by Mary Delano, MU History Intern, Spring 2018)

This cartoon portrays President Taft writing a message to Congress. In 1912, President Taft ran for reelection, most notably campaigning against his predecessor, Theodore Roosevelt, in the Republican primary. President Taft would eventually win the Republican primary. After losing that election, Roosevelt ran for president after creating his own party, the Bull-Moose party. The campaigning between Roosevelt and Taft was rigorous, and they ultimately split the the Republican vote in the 1912 presidential election. (Summary created by Mary Delano, MU History Intern, Spring 2018)

The top panel of this cartoon depicts Congress attempting to slow Uncle Sam driving a automobile and is used to represent the fast moving sentiments for national defense. The donkey is being used to suggest the actions of Congress are aligned with the democrat interests of the time. National defense is passing through pork and casting it to the side. The word "pork" is being used to describe projects and/or funding given by Congress to benefit certain areas or populations in the country. An example of pork would be Congress awarding money for a damn to be built in a specific state. The bottom panel has two possibilities that stem from the sentiments of the top panel. The scenario on the left depicts a man dissatisfied with increased taxes that Congress would have to impose to fund national defense interests. The scenario on the right shows the same man having to pay tributes to an invader. The bottom panel suggests that tax increases for national defense are in the best financial and personal interest of citizens. (Summary created by Mary Delano, MU History Intern, Spring 2018)

This cartoon shows railroad employees fighting with railroad employers in a car named "U.S. Prosperity", which is carrying the United States in the back seat. There were many railroad employee strikes in the first half of the twentieth century, usually protesting against poor pay and/or working conditions. Railroads were one of the most efficient methods of transportation, especially the transportation of goods. This made railroads critical to the health of the United States economy. In the corner of this cartoon, President Woodrow is yelling at the employers and employees to not wreck the car. While the role was not extensive, the government did take an interest in these railroad disputes, and made sure they were eventually settled. This intervention was usually performed to ensure the railroads would continue to ship American goods throughout the United States. (Summary created by Mary Delano, MU History Intern, Spring 2018)

This is a satirical piece commenting on a series of tariffs on fabrics, especially those used in the clothing industry. A tariff on cotton caused great outrage among the middle class, especially women. Most antagonists of the bill stated cotton was too essential to clothe the people of the United States to unnecessarily drive up the cost. Unlike other fabrics, wool had been able to move through the United States without having a new tariff placed upon it. It appeals to the common man's (and woman's) feelings of the lack of need for wool rather than cotton esp in the summer months like May. The author is writing to hear then President Taft's and former President Roosevelt's opinions. This is because President Taft and his former leader, Theodore Roosevelt both favored the passed tariffs on fabrics. President Taft himself signed the tariff on cotton and was heavily in favor of supporting tariffs rather than income taxes, which were just beginning to be commonly employed in the United States. (Summary created by Mary Delano, MU History Intern, Spring 2018)

This cartoon depicts Uncle Sam trying to divide "U.S. Bread" among various nations. In 1915, World War I was being fought in Europe, but the United States was maintaining a neutral position. Despite its neutrality, the United States supplied resources and arms to nations during the war. All of the countries sitting at the table are nations who lobbied for resources from the United States during the war. England is attempting to block Germany's chance of receiving resources from Uncle Sam. This is representative the attempts of the British government to limit the United States aid to Allied Powers, most often England. The United States is also sitting at the table, looking worried about sharing the beard with other nations. The United States distributing more resources than it could afford was a fear for many Americans in the 1910s. (Summary created by Mary Delano, MU History Intern, Spring 2018)

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)

This comic depicts the United States flag having forty eight stars, because Hawaii and Alaska would not become states until 1959. Each star has a ethnicity or nationality listed on it to represent the different types of immigrants assimilating and/or remaining in the United States after moving from different locations. The quote below the comment reads, "Why the US must be strictly neutral and tolerant if we expect these citizens to remain good Americans." This cartoon suggests that if the United States were to enter World War I, it would outrage the immigrants of the countries upon which the United States declared war. This was a common concern of United States citizens before the United States entered World War I. (Summary created by Mary Delano, MU History Intern, Spring 2018)