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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
How's It Going?
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

How's It Going?

Artifact ID1973.1.1496
Object Type Cartoon Drawing
Artist (United States, born 1927)
Publisher ()
Gifter
Date ca. March 1967
Medium Ink and grease pencil on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 14 1/2 in x W 11 1/2 in (36.8 cm x 29.2 cm )
Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. Two soldiers both are LBJ. One of them shoots a gun ("Vietnam") and speaks to the other soldier behind him. A cannon ("Poverty") points directly at the second soldier. Caption: “How's It Going?”. Artist signature lower right: "Basset”.
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten across the bottom: "To Lyndon Johnson with best wishes - Gene Basset". Handwritten at lower right: [circle] “585”. Handwritten at upper right: “3/16/67”.
Historical NoteLBJ’s public image was influenced by both his Great Society domestic policies and involvement in Vietnam. The most ambitious and controversial part of the Great Society was its initiative to end poverty. The Kennedy Administration had been contemplating a federal effort against poverty. Johnson, who, as a teacher, had observed extreme poverty in Texas among Mexican-Americans, launched an "unconditional war on poverty" in the first months of his presidency with the goal of eliminating hunger, illiteracy, and unemployment from American life. Meanwhile, Johnson also fought the war in Vietnam. In August 1964, US ships were seemingly 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, President Johnson escalated the conflict to a full-scale war and over 1967, there were 500,000 American troops in Vietnam.
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 Lyndon Johnson Presidential Library and Museum. The Lyndon Johnson Presidential Library and Museum does not warrant that the use of these 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)
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Place of Publication
Cincinnati
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