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Cartoon, The Glad Hand, WW1
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Cartoon, The Glad Hand, WW1
Cartoon, The Glad Hand -- Brother Jonathan (representing the USA) tells Kaiser Wilhelm to wash his hand first, before shaking it. On the Kaisers fingers, dripping with blood, are the names of places devastated by German bombardment: Louvain, Termonde, Malines and Rheims. Date: 1914
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Media ID 14146119
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
Behind Blood Bombardment Brother Devastated Dirty Dripping Enemy Fingers Friendly Glad Hands Jonathan Kaiser Louvain Malines Moral Morality Names Places Propaganda Relations Relationship Representing Rheims Satire Satirical Stars Striped Stripes Symbolic Symbolism Tailcoat Termonde Trousers Wash Wilhelm
EDITORS COMMENTS
The Glad Hand: A Symbolic Encounter between Brother Jonathan and Kaiser Wilhelm II during the Early Stages of World War I (1914) This powerful and evocative political cartoon, titled "The Glad Hand," depicts a pivotal moment in the complex web of international relations during the early stages of World War I. The cartoon portrays Brother Jonathan, a symbolic representation of the United States, extending his hand towards the German Emperor, Kaiser Wilhelm II, with a stern expression on his face. The American figure, dressed in a top hat and tailcoat, with striped trousers and the Stars and Stripes visible on his back, is seen urging Kaiser Wilhelm to "wash his hand first." The German Emperor, dressed in military uniform, is shown with his hand extended, but his fingers are dripping with blood. The names of several places devastated by German bombardment during the war are inscribed on the Kaiser's fingers: Louvain, Termonde, Malines, and Rheims. The image of the bloodied fingers serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of the conflict and the moral implications of the German military actions on the Western Front. This satirical cartoon, created in 1914, was a potent piece of propaganda used to convey the growing unease and moral outrage towards Germany's aggressive military tactics. The image of Brother Jonathan insisting that Kaiser Wilhelm cleanse his hands before shaking them symbolizes the desire for a peaceful resolution and a rejection of the violence and destruction that was engulfing Europe. The cartoon's enduring impact underscores the importance of diplomacy, morality, and the potential consequences of unchecked aggression in international relations.
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