The Political Cartoon: A Unique Perspective on the Presidency of FDR

Michael W. Jackson 5/3/2000

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The political cartoon, a tool of democracy, has been a cornerstone of American

politics since the inception of this nation. The political cartoon, however, did not

experience its coming of age until the presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The ink

flowed freely during the four consecutive terms of FDR and with this deluge of ink came

a portrait of an American President. The nation itself would grow closer to their

President unlike any previous generation. The focus of these political cartoons can be

separated into four distinct categories. The knowledge that is embodied in these political

cartoons ranges from Roosevelt's character and personality, Roosevelt's relationship

with the people, the effect of the New Deal on American life, and the controversial side

of FDR. These four subdivisions depict an American President that took America from

the depths of depression to the heights of economic recovery.

The first significant snapshot of FDR resides within the interpretation of political

cartoons that depict Roosevelt as the guiding force of the nation. Roosevelt himself is

depicted as "The Man of the Hour"1 and the leader of the pack. The nation was at the

depths of economic insecurity during the 1932 presidential campaign and the

inadequacies of Hoover left a void in the palette of the American people for a leader that

would act to bring an end to the Great Depression. Roosevelt was the son of a

prosperous family and had grown up in luxury. This experience itself would often be

called an irony of the Great Depression, as Hoover was a self-made man. The product

of this childhood, however, was not a snobbish aristocrat but a man who knew that

America needed emergency relief immediately. The pride of Hoover was his weakness

and it was the charity of Roosevelt that contributed to his understanding of direct

economic assistance to a public in need. The character of Roosevelt was further

fortified through the experience of polio that enabled him to view life with a disadvantage

1 Seibel, Fred O. Richmond Times Dispatch. http://www.nisk.k12.ny.us/fdr/wait_for_fdr/33031403.gif

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and make him one with America. A worker once said, " Mr. Roosevelt is the only man

we ever had in the White House who would understand that my boss is a son of a

bitch."2 This character to be one with the American people allowed Roosevelt to gain

the trust of a nation in need of a savior. This position is supported through 7 distinct

political cartoons that display the character of Roosevelt. The first significant cartoon

(footnote 1) portrays Roosevelt as the man of the hour who is pushing away the

darkness of depression and replacing it with the sunshine of prosperity while upholding

the American ideals captured by the American Flag. "Still a Hero"3 is a cartoon depicting

three statues, two which have crumbled and one which is still standing proud and tall.

The two collapsed statues are of Hoover and Mellon who through their trickle down

economic theory and do nothing approach gained the ill favor of the nation. The statue

of Roosevelt however is still standing and it displays a man proud of himself and his

convictions. " Confidence in Your Doctor is Half the Battle"4 depicts Roosevelt as the

doctor of Uncle Sam. The bedside manner depicted in the cartoon conveys a sense of

security and confidence as well as trust in a man that will bring an end to America's

troubles. "Looks as if the New Leadership was really going to Lead"5 displays an active

Roosevelt full of energy ready to move the nation down the road to emergency

legislation and an end to the Depression. This cartoon captures the passion of a new

President and his desire to maintain his promises to America in accordance with the

sarcastic statement of the title that states that the nation did not expect the President to

lead the nation. " The March 4th Reception Committee"6 captures the quick nature by

which Roosevelt was introduced to the problems of the Nation as he approaches the

2 Henretta, James A. America's History pg 788 3 Brown, Webb. Akron Beacon Journal. http://www.nisk.k12.ny.us/fdr/fdr_100/small/33031302.GIF 4 Kaiser. Houston Post. http://www.nisk.k12.ny.us/fdr/fdr_100/small/33031001.GIF 5 Ray, S.J. Kansas City (MO) Star. http://www.nisk.k12.ny.us/fdr/wait_for_fdr/33030703.gif 6 Morris. Brooklyn Citizen. http://www.nisk.k12.ny.us/fdr/wait_for_fdr/33011001.gif

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White House for the first time. Roosevelt is depicted as a normal man who walks up to

the White House with his own luggage and in turn conveys a sense of equality with the

American people. " Hail and Farewell"7 proceeds to continue the depiction of

Roosevelt's arrival at the capital and his subsequent actions by entering the Oval Office

while Hoover quickly leaves in disgrace. Roosevelt is shown to be jovial and ready to

attack the problems of society neatly organized. "Sweeping Changes are Expected After

March 4th"8 displays Roosevelt receiving the broom of reorganization to sweep away the

fat of the nation in order to save the economy. The situation is one of joy and it captures

the belief of the nation Roosevelt would bring and end to the depression as Uncle Sam

looks on. The man depicted by these seven varied portraits is one that is trust worthy,

energetic, and ready to lead America towards prosperity.

The second issue addressed by the political cartoons is Roosevelt's relationship

to the American people. Roosevelt through his battle with polio had developed an

understanding of the disabled and discriminated masses and it was this new found belief

in the needs of a crippled nation that drew FDR closer to his citizens. "Economic Peril"9

displays a man representing the citizens of the nation crying out for help in a time of

need and first on the list of names is Roosevelt. This cartoon displays the confidence of

the citizen in Roosevelt to solve the economic problems while maintaining a lookout for

help on all avenues. " On the Course as Charted"10 Roosevelt returns as the captain of

the National Welfare ready to survive the storm ahead in full rain gear. Roosevelt then is

portrayed as the savior of the American people from their peril at sea as the captain

guiding citizens to safe harbor. This cartoon depicts the relation of Roosevelt to

7 Clubb. Rochester Times Union. http://www.nisk.k12.ny.us/fdr/wait_for_fdr/33030401.gif 8 Morris. Hoboken Observer. http://www.nisk.k12.ny.us/fdr/wait_for_fdr/33022101.gif 9 White Plains Republican. http://www.nisk.k12.ny.us/fdr/roadto/rtgifs/large/32051701.GIF 10 Sykes. Philadelphia Public Ledger. http://www.nisk.k12.ny.us/fdr/1937/37_scgifs/large/37010601.gif

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Americans as their levelheaded captain. "The New Chauffeur"11 displays Roosevelt now

as the repairman of the broken US economy. Roosevelt is captured rolling up his

sleeves and preparing to fix the American economy. Roosevelt here is presented as the

servant of Uncle Sam (American people) and it is his duty to fix any inconvenience.

Hoover is caught fleeing from the wrecked car but Roosevelt is ready to help. "A Clear

Track"12 now places Roosevelt at the head of a mighty locomotive ready to end the fears

of the depression and lead society to economic recovery. A nation's confidence is

emblazoned on the train and shows FDR leaving behind the blues of the depression. "

His Stamp of Approval"13 depicts the clear and concise nature of Roosevelt's link to the

people as he will maintain honesty and try his best, but if he fails he will accept defeat

and try again. It is this try and try again attitude which gained great admiration of the

American people. " Whoa"14 is a significant display of Roosevelt's relation to his

constituents as he decides that the congress may not go on recess until the matters of

the nation are solved. Roosevelt himself is depicted as a champion of the public and a

man who will give aide in a time of need. "Hotel America"15 the final piece displaying

Roosevelt's relation to America depicts a President who will not allow US funds to leave

the country without the benefit of Americans. Roosevelt himself will not give the gold to

Mrs. Trubble (Germany) as he is listening to the taxpayer and feels that the nation

should not deplete its gold supply in a time of economic crisis. These seven images

capture Roosevelt's devotion and bond with his nation as he prepares to pull America

out of the depression by being a leader and a great motivator.

11 Shanks, Bruce. http://www.nisk.k12.ny.us/fdr/wait_for_fdr/33030501.gif 12 Hungerford. New York Star Eagle. http://www.nisk.k12.ny.us/fdr/wait_for_fdr/33031402.gif 13 Doyle, Jerry. Philadelphia Record. http://www.nisk.k12.ny.us/fdr/roadto/rtgifs/large/32052402.GIF 14 Gibson, Bolt. Camden Post. http://www.nisk.k12.ny.us/fdr/fdr_farm/33031602.GIF 15 Power, T.E. http://www.nisk.k12.ny.us/fdr/wait_for_fdr/33030701.gif

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The third avenue of inspection is the significance of the New Deal programs on

America. The New Deal itself provided a means to rebuild a plagued economy and a

way to find a job in a time where men felt worthless. America had a black eye and it now

was time to recover from its blow. "An Unfortunate Wait"16 utilizes the metaphor of a

train station to display the interim period between the Hoover and Roosevelt

administrations. In the train depot are the solutions to the Great Depression, however

because the Hoover train is sidetracked these new proposals will not arrive until

Roosevelt's term in office. "Keeping His Nose on the Grindstone"17 displays the hand of

the President pressuring the Congress to produce a solution to the problems of a nation.

Roosevelt here allies himself with the American people and vows to keep the

government hard at work to solve the problems of the nation. "On the Fire"18 displays

the solution to the economic problems of America and Roosevelt as the Chef is

preparing these remedies as fast as he can always announcing there imminent success.

The public is captured as well in this cartoon as it depicts the interest in Americans to try

these New Deal programs. "It IS a New Deal"19 begins to show the final outcome of the

first New Deal on society as Roosevelt has prepared the remedy and now awaits the

effects on the new move towards direct aid to America. "A Couple of Convincing

Testimonials"20 shows the outcome of the remedies prescribed by Roosevelt. The banks

and National Stability are improving and it is now time to bring relief to the farms.

"Farm Relief"21 is a clear presentation of the relationship of the New Deal to the

American farmer. Roosevelt has turned his attention away from the banks and national

stability to work on the infrastructure of our nation, the yeoman farmer. The farmer

16 Clubb. Plainfield News. http://www.nisk.k12.ny.us/fdr/wait_for_fdr/33012401.gif 17 Byck, S.S. Brooklyn Times. http://www.nisk.k12.ny.us/fdr/wait_for_fdr/33030603.gif 18 Munhall. Lynn Item. http://www.nisk.k12.ny.us/fdr/fdr_100/small/33030901.GIF 19 Talburt. Pittsburgh Press. http://www.nisk.k12.ny.us/fdr/wait_for_fdr/33031101.gif 20 Carlsile. Rome Sentinel. http://www.nisk.k12.ny.us/fdr/fdr_farm/33031803.GIF 21 Talburt. Washington News. http://www.nisk.k12.ny.us/fdr/fdr_farm/33031804.GIF

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depicted is elated with the news that someone is finally trying to solve the farm problem

during the depression. "Foiled"22 is the pinnacle of the farm relief movement as the

financial troubles of the farmer are set aside so that the farmer can return to providing

the American people with food. The effect of the New Deal upon the American people is

echoed in these drawings as the nation proceeds toward newfound prosperity. The

nation once in toil is now protected and able to fight off the financial problems with aide

of a President.

The final area of concern embodied in these cartoons is the controversial side of

FDR, who is said to have been the best remedy for America yet challenged by his

actions involving the Supreme Court and the expansion of the power of the Executive

branch. Roosevelt is often criticized as well for his lack of planning in dealing with

America's economic troubles. "There's many a slip"23 is the first in a sequence of

cartoons that criticize the moves of Roosevelt to pack the Supreme Court in hopes of

maintaining his New Deal initiatives. Roosevelt hoped that he could add to the Supreme

Court a new justice for each justice over seventy that would increase the number of

justices from nine to fifteen. The cartoon "Wonder if the result of the election would have

been the same"24 further denotes the public rage when it appears that Roosevelt is

saying half-truths to the American Public. In one scene the President is stating his

hopes for the future and then in a second scene it depicts what Roosevelt really was

saying with an angry voter. "Mr. President"25 further supports the nation's frustration

during the second term of Roosevelt. The cartoon depicts the enormous size of

Roosevelt to a small representation of the people. "Oliver Twist"26 represents the fear of

22 Talburt. Washington News. http://www.nisk.k12.ny.us/fdr/fdr_farm/33040602.GIF 23 Evans. Columbus Dispatch. http://www.nisk.k12.ny.us/fdr/1937/37_scgifs/large/37022508.gif 24 Orr. Chicago Tribune. http://www.nisk.k12.ny.us/fdr/1937/37_scgifs/large/37021610.gif 25 Seibel. Richmond Times Dispatch. http://www.nisk.k12.ny.us/fdr/1937/37_scgifs/large/37020704.gif 26 Parrish. Chicago Tribune. http://www.nisk.k12.ny.us/fdr/1937/37_scgifs/large/37011603.gif

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the American people that Roosevelt is trying to overstep the bounds of the executive

branch and move in on the power of congress. Roosevelt is asking for more power, yet

his size is able to gain him whatever he desires. "What Happens when he finishes

shuffling them around"27 is the question asked by the public as President Roosevelt

appears to be devising a way to have dictatorial power over the branches of the

government and the people. The public of course is caught off guard and can not

understand why Roosevelt would do this to his friends (Americans). "The Blank Page"28

is the transition between the errors of packing the Supreme Court and now the lack of

guidance when deciding what was best for a nation in crisis. Roosevelt is depicted as

knowing that things needed to be done however he did not know exactly what needed to

be done in America. It was only through assistance that FDR came to his plans for the

New Deal. In "The Master Wheel Forgotten"29 Roosevelt is finally depicted as a child

fooling with the nation's problems who solves the problem but leaves a crucial design out

of the solution. The process of reconstructing a clock symbolizes the lack of foresight of

Roosevelt and his presidency.

Roosevelt is a man who, captured in the inkwells of a journalist, is both a savior

of the nation and as well an uneducated child playing with a system he does not

understand. The review of Roosevelt in the context of the cartoon interpretation of his

actions has yielded a President with both beneficial and detrimental qualities. This

duality of good and bad traits is one which balanced in Roosevelt was able to pull a

nation from the depths of despair and return the American people to a state of

prosperity.

27 Parrish. Chicago Tribune. http://www.nisk.k12.ny.us/fdr/1937/37_scgifs/large/37022301.gif 28 Boston Hearld. http://www.nisk.k12.ny.us/fdr/roadto/rtgifs/large/32042001.GIF 29 Clubb. Utica Dispatch. http://www.nisk.k12.ny.us/fdr/roadto/rtgifs/large/32041502.GIF