A Small Army Invites Invaders

http://www.alplm-cdi.com/chroniclingillinois/files/uploads/400982-01.jpg

Title

A Small Army Invites Invaders

Subject

McCutcheon, John T. (John Tinney), 1870-1949
Political cartoons
United States. Army
World War (1914-1918)
China
Korea
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924
Armed Forces
Military policy
Military readiness

Description

Professor Windjammer speaks before an audience on maintaining a small army. In the lower panel, men representing China and Korea stand up and leave the speech pointing out the problems they encountered as a result of maintaining a small army when Japan invaded the two countries.

Likely referring to President Woodrow Wilson, political cartoonist John T. McCutcheon makes light of Professor Windjammer's military policy in the years leading up to World War I. Wilson kept the United States neutral during his first term in office, but due to America's fledgling navy and army, Germany had little incentive to honor neutrality and commenced unrestricted submarine warfare in January of 1917, sinking American merchant vessels. Republicans, particularly General Leonard Wood and former President Theodore Roosevelt, started a Preparedness Movement, calling for an increase in military strength and numbers. At first opposed to the idea and having the backing of popular opinion, Wilson was forced to relent in the end.

Creator

McCutcheon, John T.

Publisher

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum

Date

n.d.

Format

jpg

Language

eng

Identifier

400982
John T. McCutcheon Collection

Original Format

political cartoon
b&w
1

Physical Dimensions

41 x 37 cm