Monkeys

A monkey wearing a plumed hat labeled “European Powers” and a cat wearing clerical robes labeled “Missionary” sit in front of a fireplace. The cat is reaching a paw toward the flames and a chestnut labeled “China.”

comments and context

Comments and Context

The inspiration for this cartoon was the Boxer Rebellion, a native Chinese insurrection against foreign (largely European, Japanese, and American) influences in China. Although disputes over land, trade, and religion lasted many years, the major flash-points occurred 1898-1901, when the Boxers grew militant. In the West, they were known as Boxers because of a translation of the Chinese term for the caste’s martial arts. At the very time of this cartoon, eight concerned nations sent troops to alleviate their besieged nations in the Legation District of the Imperial City. Throughout China, Western communities and Christian churches were being plundered, and Westerners slaughtered, all after years of foreign interference and exploitation of China. America, never a claimant to lands or spheres of influence to the extent of European and Japanese powers, nevertheless participated in the military-led relief effort against the siege. 

President Roosevelt has his big stick at his feet and holds out his hands toward a snake, a lion, a tiger, a giraffe, a rhino, and a monkey. The “G.O.P.” elephant says, “He hypnotized me.”

comments and context

Comments and Context

The Washington Herald’s Joseph Harry Cunningham paid subtle compliments to President Roosevelt in this cartoon that was published precisely a week before the Republican National Convention would convene in Chicago. Presidents did not attend their parties’ conventions in those times, nor did candidates unless they were nominated in last-minute stampedes or compromises.

A monkey wearing a military uniform holds a sword labeled “Clan-na-Gael” and a flag that states “No Peaceful Solution! War!” The monkey stands on soil labeled “United States,” looking across the “Atlantic Ocean” at a lion dozing on ground labeled “Great Britain.” At the monkey’s feet is a cup labeled “To Free Ireland,” with a tag that states “Servant Girls Please Contribute.”

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1895-10-23

President Cleveland appears as an explorer, with cabinet members John G. Carlisle and Walter Q. Gresham, in a jungle, where they have come across a band of monkeys labeled “D. Hill, C. Dana, W. Reid, Blackburn, Vest, Jones, Pugh, Foraker, Wolcott, Teller, Morgan, Peffer, [and] Stewart.” Caption: Pioneer Cleveland is bound to carry political enlightenment forward, even if the simian statesmen don’t like it.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1893-11-22

A monkey turns the crank on an organ labeled “Home Sweet Home Rule” with one foot. It is wearing a hat with a feather labeled “Parnell,” and holding a shillelagh labeled “80 members” in one hand and in the other a chain attached to the belt of a British man labeled “J. Bull,” who is dancing. The British “Parliament” building is in the background.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1885-12-23

Print shows John A. Logan wearing a military uniform with plumed hat labeled “Anti-Arthur” and carrying a large sword labeled “Pension Swindle,” walking across a bridge comprised of three monkeys with the faces of Roscoe Conkling, Ulysses S. Grant, and James G. Blaine. Blaine hugs a tree labeled “Old Time Popularity,” Grant forms the middle link, and Conkling grips the U.S. Capitol building with his feet. There is a coconut labeled “Cocoanut Presidency” on top of the Capitol dome.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1883-12-26

Grover Cleveland is a lion with his paw on a monkey labeled “T. Grady” on top of a rock labeled “Civil Service Reform.” Nearby is a small fire in which are roasting chestnuts labeled “City Spoils, State Spoils, [and] National Spoils Chestnut.” Cleveland is looking over his right shoulder at a group of monkeys in a tree. Among them are John Kelly, Charles A. Dana, Benjamin F. Butler, Henry Ward Beecher, and three monkeys labeled “Dynamiter, Ward Boss, [and] N. Y. Alderman.”

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1884-09-03