Peace

A flotilla of ships sails with Theodore Roosevelt’s face on the lead ship. The figure of Peace, wearing armor and carrying a sword in one hand and an olive branch fashioned out of bayonets in the other, is sitting atop this ship. Two doves flying by her side are wearing armor and are armed as well.

comments and context

Comments and Context

This cartoon has had a long life since its original publication in 1905 in Puck magazine. In textbooks and dissertations, magazine articles and books, it has been reprinted as a representation of President Roosevelt’s brand of Pax Americana; and often as a commemoration of the Great White Fleet, America’s two squadrons of 16 battleships and escort ships that circumnavigated the globe. Painted a glowing white, the ships were ambassadors of peace, and assertions of America’s new naval prowess.

In truth, however, the Great White Fleet only set sail two and a half years later, in December of 1907. Roosevelt made only his perfunctory request for increased naval strength, coupled with a major articulation of the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, in his Annual Message. But that justification and references were made in December of 1904 — three and a half months before this cartoon, and therefore outside Puck‘s current-events focus.

In fact, the week that this cartoon was published, the SS Roosevelt was launched. It was designed specifically for Arctic exploration, incorporating many design innovations new to schooners, including engines, enhanced fortification, and ice-breaking abilities. One reason for its naming was the personal support and bureaucratic assistance of Roosevelt, who arranged for United State Navy Commander Robert Peary’s leaves of absence to pursue Arctic exploration.

The schooner indeed incorporated many design and navigation features that enabled it to survive two expeditions to discover the North Pole, later in 1905 and in 1908. Peary’s discovery of the North Pole was disputed by explorer Frederick Cook, who claimed to have discovered the pole in company of two Inuit companions between Peary’s two expeditions. The claims of each man were matters of public and geographers’ opinion for decades. Peary’s claims, better substantiated, have held sway, and Cook’s subsequent activities including serving more than a decade in prison for oil-exploration frauds, have not helped his standing.

The timing of the SS Roosevelt‘s launch on the week this cartoon was drawn, strongly suggests that Puck‘s tongue was firmly in cheek. The SS Roosevelt was not a battleship, and was never meant to directly augur peace. However it was marvel of innovative construction and sturdiness that stood it in good stead. During World War I, she was acquired by the War Department, and later saw service as a super-tugboat with major assignments around the world.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1905-03-29

Creator(s)

Pughe, J. S. (John S.), 1870-1909

Period

U.S. President – 2nd Term (March 1905-February 1909)

Repository

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division

Page Count

1

Record Type

Image

Resource Type

Cartoon

Rights

These images are presented through a cooperative effort between the Library of Congress and Dickinson State University. No known restrictions on publication.

Citation