The War in Cartoon Form

Dublin Core

Title

Subject

Matters of the War and Diplomacy as captured by British and American Cartoonists

Description

Political cartoons, whether critical or satirical, exist as commentary for the major issues and events of the day - the Civil War in America included. British and American publications regularly highlighted issues of the war, including diplomatic controversy, in their accompanying illustrations.

Creator

Johnathan Seitz

Language

English

Collection Items

'Naughty Jonathan'

British iconography for American culture and society evolved over the course of the early 19th century. Among them precursors to the popular icon of Uncle Sam, these figures also included 'Brother Jonathan.' Perceived American-belligerence during the…

'John Bull's Neutrality'

Punch's satirical criticism of the American conflict highlights their view of British neutrality in this image, perceiving the nation as above the conflict. While certain groups within the population and government displayed sympathy for either side,…

'John Bull's Neutrality - The Guardian of Civilization in Full Play'

While declaring itself neutral, and remaining that way for the duration of the war, some in the North believed that sympathies for the South permeated Britain's top levels of government. This image from Harper's Weekly uses the figure of John Bull in…

'A Family Quarrel'

Providing a satirical take on the nature of the divide between North and South, theLondon-based Punch's take shows the traditional Yankee opposite a new female figure representing the Confederacy, each holding torn parts of the national map. In the…

'The Great Surrender'

This print combines caricature with photography to express the artist's view of the events surrounding the Trent Affair. Here, the figures of Confederate diplomats James Murray Mason and John Slidell stand aboard a ship travelling to England. There,…

'Ye Conference, "Not Any We Thank You Mr. Davis"'

This scene presents the results of early attempts by the Confederate government, represented by CSA President Jefferson Davis, to attain greater European support. Depicted being addressed by Queen Victoria of Britain and Napoleon III of France,…

'Policeman Wilkes'

The captain of the San Jacinto was hailed as a hero across the Northern public, receiving praise from Congress and the Lincoln administration for his role in the capture of James Mason and John Slidell. However, with the onset of the Trent Affair in…

'King Cotton -"Oh isn't that a Dainty Dish to set before the King"'

King Cotton - interpreted here as a caricature of European-style monarchs, displaying elements of the British government - recieves a dangerous gift from Union General George McClellan. The illustration mocks British reliance on southern cotton while…

'Over the Way'

In response to the economic instability brought about by the American Civil War, affecting production and the consumption of goods and materials, John Bull (England) looks to other markets free of less shaken by an 'inconvenient' conflict. Economic…

'England's Tribute to Lincoln and 'Abraham Lincoln foully assassinated''

Compiled together as a tribute to Lincoln's memory, this item combines both a print of a wood engraving, likely by Punch artist John Tenniel, and a poem also published by Punch, together on a single page. Though republished in 1910, this document…

View all 12 items