JM-133: Portugal goes Republican

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This cartoon depicts King Manuel II fleeing Portugal after the Republican Revolution, which occurred in 1910. Before the revolution, Portugal had a constitutional monarchy, modeled in a similar fashion to that of Great Britain. In the decades before the revolution, the monarchy faced adversity by lower factions of society. The monarchy ruled Portugal in combination with aristocratic oligarchies, which maintained a relatively stable political status quo. Eventually, these oligarchies failed to maintain power, and the political situation in Portugal became increasingly unstable. Hatred for the monarchy grew to the point when King Carlos and his first son where jointly assassinated in 1908. Manuel II began to rule Portugal in his father's place, but failed to quell the urge to rebel among his people. On October 5, 1910, the violent revolution began in Lisbon, leaving hundreds dead in the struggle. Manuel II and his family fled, hoping to receive news that loyalist forces managed to overcome the revolutionaries. After realizing the revolutionaries had succeeded, Manuel II fled to England. The English government sympathized with the Portuguese monarchy. The new republican government maintained power and Portugal never returned to a constitutional monarchy structure. (Summary created by Mary Delano, MU History Intern, Spring 2018)

JM-142: Political methods, old and new

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This cartoon illustrates a comparison between "old" and "new" styles of politics in the United States. The men shown in the left panels represent political bosses who sought to influence elections for their own benefit. The people portrayed on the right panels display a more modern approach to politics. This approach included more open and transparent campaigns, and women were allowed to participate in a limited capacity. The political bosses appear confused at this new way of engaging politics. The "old way" of politics shows the bosses holding primary elections only amongst themselves, buying drinks for other men, and consuming excessive amounts of alcohol. The "new way" of politics shows men and women enjoying parties, banquets, and picnics in a family-friendly environment. The political bosses are shocked and confused to see how politics has changed overtime. The shift in politics occurred as women became more involved with political initiatives such as abolition or prohibition. (Summary created by Mary Delano, MU History Intern, Spring 2018)

JM-155: Madame Caillaux could get expert help over here

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Editorial cartoon depicting the aftermath of the shooting of Gaston Calmette on March 16, 1914. Calmette was a longtime critic of the policies and politics of Joseph Caillaux, the Prime Minister of France, and as editor of the Le Figaro newspaper he published a letter belonging to Caillaux. Henriette Caillaux, a Parisian socialite and second wife of the Prime Minister, believed that Calmette would publish other private letters about the affair she had with her husband while they were both married to other people. Madame Caillaux met with Calmette at his office, shot him six times, and he died six hours later; she was acquitted three months after that because the murder was ruled a crime of passion. This cartoon shows the mass amount of public sympathy for Madame Caillaux in France and the United States. (Summary edited by Mary Delano, MU History Intern, Spring 2018)

JM-131: Well, I think I am going to have a white Christmas

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This cartoon depicts Richard Achilles Ballinger, the Secretary of Interior, acting smug over the whitewashed Republican majority report that declares him guiltless while the Democratic insurgent minority report declares him guilty and unfit. Ballinger was part of a controversial affair in 1910 that went down in history as either the Pinchot-Ballinger Controversy or the Ballinger Affair. The Ballinger Affair began over an investigation into Clarence Cunningham, who was suspected of illegally transferring land ownership in Alaska to commercial third parties. This investigation began under the Roosevelt administration. Ballinger, the General Land Office Commissioner, eventually concluded the investigation without the approval of his the Secretary of Interior, as he was required. Ballinger left his position for private practice as Cunningham's personal counsel, but he returned to served as Secretary of Interior under President Taft. Ballinger tried to resolve the allegations against Cunningham, but faced great backlash from other members of the administration, including Chief Forester, Gifford Pinchot. Pinchot, among others, accused Ballinger of negligence and endangering public lands. A committee was formed to determine Ballinger's guilt. With the exception of one Republican, all the Republicans on the committee ruled in favor of Ballinger, and all the Democrats on the committee ruled against Ballinger. The Ballinger Affair led to mass criticism of the Taft administration.The dispute between Ballinger and United States Forest Service Chief Gifford Pinchot that contributed to the split of the Republican party before the 1912 presidential election. (Summary created by Mary Delano, MU History Intern, Spring 2018)

JM-138: Well, Gentlemen

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This cartoon depicts Richard Achilles Ballinger, the Secretary of Interior, sweating during a cabinet meeting with President Taft. Ballinger was part of a controversial affair in 1910 that went down in history as either the Pinchot-Ballinger Controversy or the Ballinger Affair. The Ballinger Affair began over an investigation into Clarence Cunningham, who was suspected of illegally transferring land ownership in Alaska to commercial third parties. This investigation began under the Roosevelt administration. Ballinger, the General Land Office Commissioner, eventually concluded the investigation without the approval of his the Secretary of Interior, as he was required. Ballinger left his position for private practice as Cunningham's personal counsel, but he returned to served as Secretary of Interior under President Taft. Ballinger tried to resolve the allegations against Cunningham, but faced great backlash from other members of the administration, including Chief Forester, Gifford Pinchot. Pinchot, among others, accused Ballinger of negligence and endangering public lands. A committee was formed to determine Ballinger's guilt. With the exception of one Republican, all the Republicans on the committee ruled in favor of Ballinger, and all the Democrats on the committee ruled against Ballinger. The Ballinger Affair led to mass criticism of the Taft administration.The dispute between Ballinger and United States Forest Service Chief Gifford Pinchot that contributed to the split of the Republican party before the 1912 presidential election. (Summary created by Mary Delano, MU History Intern, Spring 2018)

JM-150: Japanese Haggling

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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)

JM-129: Will It be Conservative or Progressive?

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This cartoon depicts President Taft creating a message regarding railroad freight rates. In the 1910, a large portion of goods was transported on railroads in the United States. Railroad owners made large profits by charging rates to ship cargo from one location to another. One of the books in the cartoon is titled, "injunction". This likely refers to the injunction granted by Judge David P. Driver against 25 western railroads located throughout the Midwest to the West Coast, who were all members of the Western Traffic Association. This injunction was granted in Hannibal, Missouri, as a result of an executive order from President Taft. This injunction prevented any of these railroads from raising or adjusting their rates in anyway. The special assistant to the Attorney General, Edwin Grosvenor, presented charges against these railroad companies in St. Louis, Missouri. These charges allegations of price-fixing and conspiracy between these companies to collectively raise rates. President Taft's administration is known for a hard stance against trusts. Taft's predecessor, President Theodore Roosevelt, began this practice during his own administration. Another project begun during President Roosevelt's administration: the construction and governance of the Panama Canal is also shown in this cartoon. (Summary created by Mary Delano, MU History Intern, Spring 2018)

JM-156: There will be some vacant chairs at today's meeting

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This cartoon depicts a meeting between Turkey, Bulgaria, Austria, Russia, and Germany. Germany stands at the head of the table. All the countries present are part of the Central Powers with the exception of Russia. The Central Powers are countries that fought against the Allied Powers or supportive of the Allied Powers (England, France, Italy, the United States, etc.) in World War I. World War I began July 28, 1914, a few months before this cartoon was drawn. These countries are having a meeting about declaring an armistice to end fighting in WWI. The Central Powers wanted the terms of the armistice to be the countries of Europe would return to their original states before the war began. This was seen as unacceptable to the Allied Powers, due to the immense loss of life and unacceptable behavior of the Central Powers in starting WWI. All the empty seats of the Allied Powers demonstrate their complete lack of willingness to negotiate the end of the war with the Central Powers on their terms. The Allies would eventually win World War I in 1918 and place harsh war reparations on the Central Powers, particularly Germany. (Summary created by Mary Delano, MU History Intern, Spring 2018)

JM-152: Make the punishment fit the crime

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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.

JM-154: Huerta and Félix Díaz

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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)

JM-194: Paris scenes with Franklin and Wilson

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This top panel of this cartoon shows Benjamin Franklin walking outside in Paris, France. Benjamin Franklin held the title of Commissioner to France from 1776 to 1785, while he served as an ambassador to France during and after the Revolutionary War. Benjamin Franklin is walking in a busy market place and passes an "epicere", which can be translated from French to mean a grocery. The bottom panel shows Woodrow Wilson passing through the streets of Paris in a parade. Woodrow Wilson traveled to Paris in 1919 after the fighting in WWI had ceased. Wilson attended the Paris Peace Conference, which would eventually produce the Treaty of Versailles. The Treaty of Versailles is the treaty that formally concluded WWII. (Summary created by Mary Delano, MU History Intern, Spring 2018)

JM-151: The President is working on his message

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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)

JM-186: Three scenes about labor workers

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This cartoon depicts three different scenes in separate panels. In the top panel, a business man is angry about workers' unions and wants them to be "smashed," but later, with the threat of a strike hovering over him, he signs his name on a wage increase form. Negotiation between workers and employers were becoming a more common occurrence in the 1910s. Unions and the notion of collective bargaining were beginning to be protected under the law. In the middle panel, a man's boss is happy to get more labor out of the man since prohibition. The man's family also claims to get more money out of him since prohibition, and the children show off their new shoes. This panel shows the desired result of prohibition, which was to eliminate the loss of prosperity and productivity associated with drunkenness.In the bottom panel, John Bull smiles while reading the English paper, which proclaims the growing labor party might control government at next election. Meanwhile, Uncle Sam reads an American paper, which proclaims the Farmer Labor Party has grown to contain three people. As Uncle Sam reads the paper, there is panic in the background. The Farmer Labor Party was a political party founded in 1920 from the larger, international workers' movement associated with communism. As Uncle Sam reads the paper, there is obvious panic in the background. This last panel shows the significant difference in culture between the United States and England. England, like many other European states, was learning to tolerate the labor parties, and it eventually adopted the new parties into their political landscape. The United States was hypersensitive to any hint of communism, due to fears of a workers' revolution. Unlike England, the United States constantly sought to limit the influence and growth of these labor parties as much as possible. This fear is seen by the Red Scare the United States experienced in the 1920s. The Red Scare spread mass fear of communism, and it sought to eliminate communism completely from American economics and culture. (Summary created by Mary Delano, MU History Intern, Spring 2018)

JM-130: Hello, Is that the coroner?

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This cartoon is an editorial depiction of the fear of war with Japan in later 1910. At the time, the army of Japan was growing, and they were seeking new technology and funding. This was combined with Japan seizing territory around it, such as parts of Korea. These military actions made relations between the United States and Japan more tense, even to the point where California was proposing legislation to limit the rights of Japanese citizens. The Chicago Tribune took a relatively relaxed approach to the situation, asserting relations between the United States and Japan were nowhere near a declaration of war. Journalists came to this conclusion, because the costs of war were too great for both sides. Ultimately, President Taft sought to avoid public fear by seeking to dismantle rumors of war by publicly announcing the United States intention of peace with Japan. This cartoon shows Taft crushing the personified Japanese war scare while on the phone saying "Hello, is that the coroner? Well, say, come up in about 10 minutes. I'll have a nice job for you." (Summary created by Mary Delano, MU History Intern, Spring 2018)

JM-158: The President has important business in Massachusetts

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This cartoon shows President Taft racing out of the White House with an ax for his predecessor, Theodore Roosevelt. While President Taft was in office, Theodore Roosevelt continued to remain active in policy. This cartoon was published with article indicating former President Roosevelt sought to protect International Harvester Company, which was in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act. There had been a series of letter by Theodore Roosevelt published, which indicated Roosevelt was involved with encouraging the government to not pursue International Harvester Company. President Taft was leaving for Massachusetts to give a speech to denounce the actions of Theodore Roosevelt. President Taft also wished to remind the American people how much he had done to eliminate trusts to protect the American people. (Summary created by Mary Delano, MU History Intern, Spring 2018)

JM-132: Fifty years from now

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This cartoon depicts an aged version of Katherine Elkins and Prince Luigi Amedeo, Duke of Abruzzi. Katherine Elkins was the daughter of Senator Stephen B. Elkins, an influential politician from West Virginia. The Duke of Abruzzi was Commander in Chief of the Italian fleet and fifth in line for the Italian throne. They met through a series of social events in the United States, and their courtship was covered by the Chicago Tribune and other newspapers for over two years. The Duke of Abruzzi needed the permission from the King of Italy to marry. If the couple had married without royal permission, then Ms. Elkins would not have received a royal title or estates and The Duke of Abruzzi would have received reprimand from the crown. When this cartoon was drawn, the Duke and Ms. Elkins were rumored to be engaged, but still waiting for the King's blessing to wed. Eventually, the King would deny this request and the couple separated around 1912. Katherine Elkins went on to marry Billy Hitt, the son of an Illinois congressman. The Duke Abruzzi led the Italian navy through World War I, and he oversaw the Italian colony of Somalia. The Duke of Abruzzi married as well, and died in 1933. (Summary created by Mary Delano, MU History Intern, Spring 2018)

JM-148: Japan objects to the weapon which he himself has never hesitated to use

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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)