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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Congratulations from East and West
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

Congratulations from East and West

Artifact ID1970.2.102 (JJ)
Object Type Cartoon Clipping
Date ca. April 1964
Medium Paper
DimensionsOverall H 11 5/8 in x W 8 1/4 in (29.5 cm x 21 cm )
Physical Description
Physical DescriptionPrint reproduction of cartoon drawing. German clipping. A man (identifiable as Nikita Khrushchev) stands next to his birthday cake (“70”) with the Kremlin on the upper layer. He holds a card (“Bleibe gesund und fidel! [Stay healthy and happy!] Castro”). Five men gather and offer him different gifts. A man (identifiable as Mao Tse-tung) holds up a mushroom. Another man (identifiable as Ludwig Erhard) offers him a wreath (“dpa”). Another man (identifiable as Charles de Gaulle) holds up an axe (“NATO”) and a fourth man (identifiable as Sir Alec Douglas-Home) holds a bag of money (“£”). LBJ holds up a sign (“Auch wir gegen Mao [We too against Mao]”). A small piece of paper “17.IV.64.(T)” adhered to lower right. Caption: “Gratulanten aus Ost und West [Congratulations from East and West]”. Artist signature lower left: “Nico”.
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. Nikita Khrushchev's 70th birthday was in April 1964. In this cartoon, Mao Tse-Tung offers him a mushroom, a reference to China's first detonation of an atomic bomb in March 1964. Because of the Sino-Soviet split, this has significant consequences for Soviet foreign policy. Lyndon Johnson offers him the knowledge that the United States is also opposed to China, leading to all three countries competing for a sphere of influence.
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 personally, until the President donated it to the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum in 1970.
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 Ludwig Erhard (German, 1897 - 1977)
Person Referenced Charles de Gaulle (French, 1890 - 1970)
Person Referenced Lyndon Baines Johnson (American, 1908 - 1973)
Person Referenced Nikita Khrushchev (Russian, 1894 - 1971)
Person Referenced Mao Tse-tung (Chinese, 1893 - 1976)
Person Referenced Sir Alec Douglas-Home
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Subjects
NATO
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