Portrait of America 1939
- Title:
- Portrait of America 1939
- Alternate Title:
- Portrait of America 1939
- Collection:
- Persuasive Maps: PJ Mode Collection
- Creator:
- Nitsche, Erik
- Date:
- 1939
- Posted Date:
- 2017-04-14
- ID Number:
- 1275.01
- Collection Number:
- 8548
- File Name:
- PJM_1275_01.jpg
- Style/Period:
- 1920 - 1939
- Subject:
- Between the Wars
Pictorial
Ethnocentrism - Measurement:
- 36 x 53 (centimeters, height x width)
- Notes:
- As a "nation of immigrants," Americans have produced persuasive maps addressing the issues of immigration and nationality over most of the country's lifetime. The collection includes a number of these maps published since the 1840s. Some are welcoming, encouraging, and provide advice to immigrants. Some assert that the diversity of our nationalities is a source of strength for the country. And yet others attack immigrants in general, or specific ethnic or religious immigrant groups, particularly Asians, Catholics, and Jews. For the range of these maps, Search > "immigration.”
In the summer of 1939, following the German annexation of Czechoslovakia, the threat of war hung over Europe. Henry Luce, the publisher of Time, Life and Fortune magazines, was the most powerful American media figure of his era, and his concern about American isolationism and our lack of military preparedness were reflected in his publications. Baughman 2001, 2-3, 120. Life Magazine dedicated its issue of June 5 to "America's Future." The issue included an essay by Walter Lippman on "America's Destiny," and a section on "America in Maps" with four powerful, double page illustrations (ID ##1275.01-.04). The overall impact communicates an upbeat view of the nation and its prospects.
During the period leading up to World War II and through the end of the war, a number of maps celebrated the unity, strength and confidence of the nation. Many of these were published in leading magazines of the time. The collection includes several examples: ID #1275.01-.04, Life Magazine, “America’s Future” (1939); ID #1288, “America - A Nation of One People From Many Countries” (1940); ID #1314, Esquire Magazine, Miguel Covarrubias (1943); ID #2019, “Animated North America” (1944);ID #1332, Holiday Magazine, “William Gropper’s Folklore Map of America” (1946).
For further information on the Collector’s Notes and a Feedback/Contact Link, see https://persuasivemaps.library.cornell.edu/content/about-collection-personal-statement and https://persuasivemaps.library.cornell.edu/content/feedback-and-contact - Source:
- Life Magazine, June 5, 1939, pp. 52-53.
- Cite As:
- P.J. Mode collection of persuasive cartography, #8548. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
- Repository:
- Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library
- Archival Collection:
- P.J. Mode collection of persuasive cartography
- Format:
- Image
- Rights:
- For important information about copyright and use, see http://persuasivemaps.library.cornell.edu/copyright.