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Cartoon, Smoking the Calumet (Gladstone and Alabama Claim)
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Cartoon, Smoking the Calumet (Gladstone and Alabama Claim)
Cartoon, Smoking the Calumet -- a satirical comment on the American governments claim for compensation for the sinking of the CSS Alabama during the American Civil War. The ship was built in the UK for the Confederate Navy, and spent two years attacking Union ships before she was sunk in the Battle of Cherbourg. The claim was settled later the same year, with a payment to America of $15.5M. Gladstone is seen refusing to smoke the peace-pipe with Jonathan, both of them dressed as Native American Indians; Mr Punch also comments. The figure of 200M is visible in the smoke from the pipe. Date: 1872
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Media ID 23361542
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1872 Analogy Calumet Comment Feathered Feathers Gladstone Headdress Indians Liberal Metaphor Punch Stars Stripes Tenniel
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This satirical cartoon, titled "Cartoon, Smoking the Calumet: A Comment on the Gladstone and Alabama Claim," was published in 1872 during the Victorian era. The image is a commentary on the ongoing diplomatic dispute between Britain and the United States over compensation for the sinking of the CSS Alabama during the American Civil War. The cartoon depicts British Prime Minister William Gladstone and U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant, both dressed as Native American Indians, engaged in a peace pipe ceremony. The pipe, however, is not producing smoke as one might expect, but rather emitting the figure of 200 million dollars, representing the amount the U.S. was seeking in damages. Gladstone, portrayed as a stern and unyielding figure, refuses to smoke the pipe, while Grant, dressed in traditional Native American headdress and feathers, extends the pipe towards him. The figure of Mr. Punch, a popular character from British satirical publications, looks on in amusement from the sidelines. The use of Native American imagery in this cartoon is an analogy for the perceived unequal power dynamics between the two nations. The metaphor of smoking the peace pipe was a common one in diplomatic relations between European powers and indigenous peoples in North America, and its application to this international dispute adds a layer of irony and commentary on the political situation. The cartoon reflects the tensions and complexities of international relations during the late 19th century, and highlights the role of satire and humor in shaping public opinion and political discourse.
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