The fettered war god
Subject(s): Alliances, International relations, Mars (Roman deity), Peace, Treaties
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The god of war is bound by garlands labeled “Dreibund” Alliance” and “Alliance’ [a reference to the Triple Entente]. The ends of the garlands are pulled by Germany, Austria, and Italy on one side, with Russia and the Ottoman Empire tugging at another end, and John Bull, representing Great Britain, and Japan tugging at yet another end. The figure of “Peace” enters on the left carrying more garlands. Caption: National alliances as promoters of universal peace.
Comments and Context
In 1902 the world looked with plausible optimism on the international “harmony” represented by the Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente. Under different names, and inevitably shifting signatories, as well as secret treaties and diplomatic understandings, these international arrangements were viewed as guarantors of world peace. As the world discovered a dozen years later, these alliances only postponed and arguably facilitated a world war. Nations, in the end, were positioning and re-positioning themselves for the devastating Great War. Puck, often a prescient seer, was seldom more of a Pollyanna than in this cartoon.
Collection
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Creation Date
1902-08-20
Creator(s)
Period
U.S. President – 1st Term (September 1901-February 1905)
Repository
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
Page Count
1
Record Type
Image
Resource Type
Rights
These images are presented through a cooperative effort between the Library of Congress and Dickinson State University. No known restrictions on publication.
Citation
Cite this Record
Chicago:
The fettered war god. [August 20, 1902]. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o276255. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Keppler, Udo J., 1872-1956. The fettered war god. [20 Aug. 1902]. Image.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. February 26, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o276255.
APA:
Keppler, Udo J., 1872-1956., [1902, August 20]. The fettered war god.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o276255.
Cite this Collection
Chicago:
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-prints-and-photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. February 26, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-prints-and-photographs.
APA:
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-prints-and-photographs.
