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Retrogression (A Very Sad Picture), 1862
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Retrogression (A Very Sad Picture), 1862
Retrogression (A Very Sad Picture), 1862. War-Dance of the IOU Indian. The American dancing in native feathers bears a striking resemblance to President Abraham Lincoln. Recently a number of American states and private debtors repudiated loans made to them by Britain. To accompany this cartoon, Punch ran an article headed The IOU Indian. Presented under the guise of a paper presented by the Ethnological Society, it tells how the first inhabitants of America were wise, brave and independent until the deteriorating effects of climate were enhanced by a vast infusion of inferior animalism, in the form of convict Irish, deboshed Germans, and the accumulated scum of other nations. This mixture meant that the American had gradually lost the fine characteristics of his English descent, leaving him with only the savage propensities of one who plunders foreigners of their money and believes that the dollar is the Great First Cause of all his actions. From Punch, or the London Charivari, February 1, 1862
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Media ID 14830552
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EDITORS COMMENTS
Caption: "Retrogression (A Very Sad Picture), 1862 - A Political Satire on American Debt Repudiation". This thought-provoking print captures a political cartoon titled "Retrogression (A Very Sad Picture), 1862" originally published in Punch, or the London Charivari. The artwork depicts a War-Dance of the IOU Indian, with an American figure adorned in native feathers bearing a striking resemblance to President Abraham Lincoln. The cartoon was created during a time when several American states and private debtors had repudiated loans made to them by Britain. To accompany this satirical illustration, Punch ran an article presenting it as if it were a paper presented by the Ethnological Society. It cunningly suggests that America's first inhabitants were once wise, brave, and independent but gradually lost their fine characteristics due to climate effects and an influx of inferior immigrants from various nations. The artist subtly criticizes the Americans for their perceived obsession with money and their belief that the dollar is at the core of all their actions. By portraying President Lincoln as an IOU Indian engaged in a war dance, he highlights how America's actions regarding debt repayment are seen as savage plundering of foreigners' money. This historical artifact serves as both social commentary and political satire, shedding light on international financial tensions during this period while offering insight into prevailing perceptions about America's evolving identity.
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