United States of Guggenheimerica?
- Title:
- United States of Guggenheimerica?
- Alternate Title:
- United States of Guggenheimerica?
- Collection:
- Persuasive Maps: PJ Mode Collection
- Creator:
- Walker, William H. (William Henry), 1896-
- Date:
- 1912
- Posted Date:
- 2015-08-25
- ID Number:
- 1170.01
- File Name:
- PJM_1170_01.jpg
- Style/Period:
- 1900 - 1919
- Subject:
- Satirical
Bias
Politics & Government
Pictorial
Money & Finance - Measurement:
- 28 x 45 (centimeters, height x width)
- Notes:
- This satirical political cartoon had its origin in the Ballinger-Pinchot affair of 1909, which involved a noisy public scandal over the allegedly illegal distribution of 33 federal coal land claims in Alaska to the Guggenheim mining interests. A Congressional investigation followed in 1910, with further massive publicity. By 1912, partly as a result of the affair, Theodore Roosevelt had broken from President Taft, his former ally, and determined to challenge him for the Republican nomination. In February 1912, as a further consequence of the affair, Taft proposed legislation that would make Alaska a formal Territory of the U.S. but maintain tight government control over land and other natural resources. (Swain 1968, 30; Giaslason, Eric, "A Brief History of Alaska Statehood 1867-1959, http://xroads.virginia.edu/~cap/bartlett/49state.html, accessed December 25, 1914).
This cartoon appeared in the run up to the Republican convention and while the Alaska legislation was pending in the Congress. Among other things, it highlights the split between the old money of America and the new. West of the Mississippi, under a sign reading "Alaskaheim," are the five Guggenheim brothers (caricatured as stereotypical Jews). In the East are Morgan (hat in hand), Rockefeller and Carnegie. Under the title is the dialog: "One G-Heim: Say old chap, we'll match you for the whole."
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, March 28, 1912.
- Repository:
- Private Collection of PJ Mode
- Format:
- Image
- Rights:
- For important information about copyright and use, see http://persuasivemaps.library.cornell.edu/copyright.