Will the lion allow himself to be shorn of his strength?
Subject(s): Chamberlain, Joseph, 1836-1914, Free trade--Protection, Great Britain, Lions, Protectionism
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Joseph Chamberlain holds a pair of shears labeled “Protection” and is about to trim the mane labeled “Free Trade” of the British Lion.
Comments and Context
The subtext of this cartoon is the policy altercations occurring within the British government of the day. Joseph Chamberlain was one of the most consequential British politicians who never became Prime Minister. His peregrinations from party to party — Liberal, Unionist, Conservative — effectively realigned Westminster twice. He played an important role in advancing the Boer War, and he upset Britain’s long-standing policy (once considered sacrosanct) of free trade with the world.
It was his decision to advocate for free trade at a time when the world was reducing tariffs and trade barriers, that inspired this cartoon. Chamberlain, Secretary for the Colonies, saw the United States as an emerging commercial rival; and Germany as a threat to England. Therefore he advocated free trade within the Empire, and tariffs walls elsewhere. The row he raised was a matter of major controversy, and within weeks of this carton, he resigned during the Parliamentary furor.
His ultimate, or final, contribution to history was fathering Neville Chamberlain, the future Prime Minister who sought “peace in our time” with Adolf Hitler.
Collection
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Creation Date
1903-07-08
Creator(s)
Pughe, J. S. (John S.), 1870-1909
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:
Will the lion allow himself to be shorn of his strength?. [July 8, 1903]. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o277301. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Pughe, J. S. (John S.), 1870-1909. Will the lion allow himself to be shorn of his strength?. [8 Jul. 1903]. Image.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. March 12, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o277301.
APA:
Pughe, J. S. (John S.), 1870-1909., [1903, July 8]. Will the lion allow himself to be shorn of his strength?.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o277301.
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. March 12, 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.
