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| The situation in the United States did not escape foreign
attention. Foreign publications, most notably London Punch, featured cartoons
about secession and the Civil War almost as often as their American counterparts.
Sir John Tenniel became famous for his oftentimes scathing depictions of
Lincoln from 1860-1865. One of his first cartoons dealing with Lincoln was
published on May 11, 1861. Entitled “The American Difficulty,”
it features Lincoln sitting despondently in front of a fireplace in the
White House. Black smoke is pouring out of the fireplace, as little black
stick figures dance and cavort in the smoke over Lincoln’s head. The
caption is spoken by Lincoln, who exclaims, “What a nice White House
this would be, were it not for the blacks!” This cartoon is naturally
suggestive of Lincoln’s difficulties in dealing with the issue of
slavery during his administration. However, this cartoon is loaded with
another type of meaning as well. The Southern aristocracy shared many traditions
and ancestors with the upper-classes living in England. Tenniel’s
cartoons became more and more critical of Lincoln over time, reflecting
the English upper class’s frustration with his efforts to dominate
the Southern states. Wilson comments on Tenniel’s effectiveness, writing
that “His range was not a wide one, yet within its clearly defined
limits he was nearly always powerful” (viii). Indeed, the wide popularity
of London Punch guaranteed that Tenniel's message was read loud and clear
throughout England. |
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| Other foreign publications also used the situation in America as a source
for material. In Germany, Kladderadatsch featured a cartoon entitled “Lincoln
and the Negro Question” a few months after South Carolina had seceded
from the United States. It portrayed Lincoln sitting between a slave and
a Southern gentleman. Lincoln is portrayed as dark and brooding in this
picture, suggesting his shadowy international reputation, because as a relatively
untested president in such a tumultuous situation, foreign countries were
unsure how much trust or confidence to place in him. On the left of the
cartoon, the slave exclaims “May I be so bold?” Lincoln promptly
answers him, “Step nearer my friend.” On the right, the Southern
man interjects, “Then I beg to be excused.” This simple cartoon
reveals the international interest in secession. |
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| Secession of the Southern states proved to be only one step
in the long road toward peace. However, this controversial action was a
widely publicized and analyzed event both domestically and internationally.
Cartoons had mixed effects depending on their audience of readers. However,
wide distributions and increased literacy meant that more and more people
were aware of the events unfolding in America, both domestically and abroad.
The popularity of these cartoons led to their prevalence and popularity
during the war years to come. |
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