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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Widening Rift
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

Widening Rift

Artifact ID1973.1.1592
Object Type Cartoon Drawing
Artist
Gifter
Publisher
Date ca. December 1965
Medium Ink and grease pencil on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 11 1/4 in x W 8 7/8 in (28.6 cm x 22.5 cm )
Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. LBJ stands with an American flag on one side of the globe with another man (identifiable as Alexei Kosygin) and a Communist flag on the other side. A gaping crack ("Vietnam") has developed between the two sides. Caption: “Widening Rift”. Artist signature lower right: "Vic Runtz news ‘65”.
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at lower left: “3 col line”. Handwritten at lower center: “Ed Page Fri” “Bangor Daily News - Dec. 10, 1965”.
Historical NoteDuring the Johnson administration and general postwar era, much foreign policy was dictated by the Cold War, the rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union for political influence amidst decolonization, associated with proxy wars, ideological struggles, the nuclear arms race, and the space race. In August 1964, US ships were attacked in the Gulf of Tonkin, leading to the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution that allowed President Johnson to take military action. In February 1965, Johnson authorized Operation Rolling Thunder to bomb North Vietnam and in March, 3500 Marines were deployed in Vietnam. Over 1965, the year this cartoon was made, President Johnson escalated the conflict to a full-scale war with 175,000 American troops.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteThe item was a gift from the general public to President Johnson during his term in office. It was received by President Johnson, until the President donated it to the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum in 1973.
Credit LineGift of Lyndon Baines Johnson
National Archives Catalog CollectionLyndon B. Johnson Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 192413)
National Archives Catalog SeriesGifts from the General Public (National Archives Identifier 189698395)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - Fully
Use Restriction NoteCopyright or other proprietary rights are held by individuals or entities other than the LBJ Presidential Library and Museum. The LBJ Presidential Library and Museum does not warrant that the use of materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions. Pertinent regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R 1254.62.
Person Referenced Lyndon Baines Johnson (United States, 1908 - 1973)
Person Referenced Aleksey N. Kosygin (Soviet Union, 1904 - 1980)
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Place of Publication
Bangor
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