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Cartoon, The Rival Black Dolls (India Bill)
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Cartoon, The Rival Black Dolls (India Bill)
Cartoon, The Rival Black Dolls, showing the former Liberal Prime Minister, Palmerston (left), and the current Conservative MP Benjamin Disraeli (right) in Lord Derbys government, depicted as rival shopkeepers. They had both been involved in promoting two separate India Bills, designed to transfer power from the British East India Company to the Crown, in response to the Indian Rebellion (Mutiny) of the previous year. The Conservative-supported Bill was passed on 2 August 1858. Date: 1858
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1850s 1858 Benjamin Comment Conservative Depiction Disraeli Liberal Palmerston Politicians Power Satire Satirical Tory Whig
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This political cartoon, titled "The Rival Black Dolls" or "India Bill," dates back to 1858, during the Victorian era in Britain. The cartoon depicts two prominent political figures, former Liberal Prime Minister, Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston (left), and the current Conservative MP, Benjamin Disraeli, Earl of Beaconsfield (right), in Lord Derby's government. Both Palmerston and Disraeli had been actively involved in promoting separate India Bills to transfer power from the British East India Company to the Crown, in response to the Indian Rebellion, also known as the Indian Mutiny, of the previous year. The satirical image portrays Palmerston and Disraeli as rival shopkeepers, each trying to outdo the other in attracting customers to their respective India Bills. Palmerston's shop is labeled "Palmerston's India Bill," while Disraeli's is labeled "Disraeli's India Bill." Both politicians are shown wearing top hats, a common fashion accessory of the time, and are surrounded by various symbols representing their respective political parties - the Whig and Tory parties, which were the dominant political forces during the 19th century. The Conservative-supported India Bill, backed by Disraeli, was ultimately passed on August 2, 1858. This cartoon serves as a fascinating commentary on the political climate of the time, highlighting the intense competition and rivalry between the Liberal and Conservative parties, even during times of national crisis. The image also underscores the importance of political satire as a means of expressing public opinion and engaging with the political issues of the day.
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