Notice: You are currently previewing Unit 5: The Early Republic
A Boxing Match
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| Title: | A Boxing Match |
| Subtitle: | Or Another Bloody Nose for John Bull |
| Artist: | William Charles |
| Created: | 1813 |
| Caption: | This cartoon celebrates early American naval victories in the War of 1812, particularly the USS Enterprise's defeat of the HMS Boxer. Two men, King George III and James Madison are engaged in a boxing match. They refer to each other as Johnny (John Bull, symbol of England) and Brother Jonathan (a precursor to Uncle Sam). Madison refers to the victory of the Enterprise (spelled "Enterprize"). In the background, two ships battle at sea. |
| Source: | Library of Congress |
A scene on the frontiers as practiced by the "humane" British and their "worthy" allies
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| Title: | A scene on the frontiers as practiced by the "humane" British and their "worthy" allies |
| Artist: | William Charles |
| Created: | 1812 |
| Caption: | This cartoon is critical of the British and Native American action on the American frontier. The British officer is paying his Native American allies for American scalps. Below are the verses: "Arise Columbia's Sons and forward press, / Your Country's wrongs call loudly for redress; / The Savage Indian with his Scalping knife, / Or Tomahawk may seek to take your life; / By bravery aw'd they'll in a dreadful Fright, / Shrink back for Refuge to the Woods in Flight; / Their British leaders then will quickly shake, / And for those wrongs shall restitution make." |
| Source: | Library of Congress |
Congressional Pugilists
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| Title: | Congressional Pugilists |
| Created: | 1798 |
| Caption: | This cartoon depicts a fight between Vermont Representative Matthew Lyon and Connecticut Representative Roger Griswold. The fight broke out after Griswold insulted Lyon. Below the cartoon are the verses: "He in a trice struck Lyon thrice Upon his head, enrag'd sir, Who seiz'd the tongs to ease his wrongs, And Griswold thus engag'd, sir." |
| Source: | Library of Congress |
John Bull and the Baltimoreans
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| Title: | John Bull and the Baltimoreans |
| Artist: | William Charles |
| Created: | c. 1814 |
| Caption: | In contrast to the cartoon "John Bull and the Alexandrians," the residents of Baltimore and American forces put up a still resistance to British invaders, and repulse the enemy. While a British officer (on horseback) tries to rally his men, Americans take shots at them from the hills. |
| Source: | Library of Congress |
Johnny Bull and the Alexandrians
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| Title: | Johnny Bull and the Alexandrians |
| Artist: | William Charles |
| Created: | 1814 |
| Caption: | This cartoon criticizes the residents of Alexandria, Virginia, for falling to the British with such little resistance. Compare this cartoon to "John Bull and the Baltimoreans," where the Americans successfully resist their invaders. |
| Source: | Library of Congress |
Property protected - à la Françoise
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| Title: | Property protected - à la Françoise |
| Artist: | S.W. Fores |
| Created: | June 1, 1798 |
| Caption: | This British cartoon mocks Franco-American relations after the XYZ Affair. Five French officials plunder the female "America." In the background, five other nations stand around, refusing to help. John Bull, representing England, laughs while sitting atop "Shakespeare's Cliff." |
| Source: | Library of Congress |
The prairie dog sickened at the sting of the hornet
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| Title: | The prairie dog sickened at the sting of the hornet |
| Subtitle: | or a diplomatic puppet exhibiting his deceptions |
| Artist: | James Akin |
| Created: | 1804 |
| Caption: | This anti-Jefferson cartoon criticizes the President for authorizing secret negotiations to purchase West Florida. The hornet stinging Jefferson has the head of Napoleon. |
| Source: | Library of Congress |
Triumph of liberty
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| Title: | Triumph of liberty |
| Subtitle: | Dedicated to its defenders in America |
| Artist: | John Francis Renault, artist; Peter C. Verger, engraver |
| Created: | 1796 |
| Caption: | The many images in this cartoon suggest the flourishing of liberty and the decline of monarchy and tyranny. For example, in the bottom right, a group of Kings turn away in horror from a book containing the United the States Constitution. In the bottom middle, the "Hydra of Despotism" lies mortally wounded. |
| Source: | Library of Congress |
