Just What I Needed
Artifact ID1973.1.1863
Object Type
Cartoon Drawing
Publisher
Houston Chronicle
(founded 1901)
Date
ca. January 1968
Medium
Ink and developer on Craftint paper
DimensionsOverall H 13 3/8 in x W 11 1/2 in (34 cm x 29.2 cm )
Physical DescriptionPhysical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. LBJ rides a speeding unicycle ("Asian Policy") and juggles five lit bombs ("Laos", "Thailand", "Red China", "Cambodia", "Vietnam"). Another bomb ("North Korea") comes smoking into the mix. Caption: “Just What I Needed”. Artist signature lower center: "CP Houston”.
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at lower center: "To the President of the United States with highest regards - Clyde Peterson". Handwritten at lower right: [red] “48”. Handwritten at lower right: [circle] “25”. Handwritten at lower right: “picas Wed. Ed. Pg.”.
Historical NoteUS officials continued to refuse to recognize the People’s Republic of China in favor of Taiwan and did not allow the PRC on the UN Security Council. The US government also ensured that it would not want a war with China, but remained steadfast in its position on Vietnam. During the 1960s, China supported revolutionary groups around the world against colonial and conservative governments. This made the United States government nervous about Domino Theory. 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. The war’s unpopularity in the United States was increased further by the North Vietnamese Tet Offensive in early 1968, which led to even greater casualties. From 1964-1973, the United States heavily bombed Laos through CIA covert operations because it provided supplies to North Vietnam during the Vietnam War, making Laos the most bombed nation in history. In Cambodia, the Khmer Rouge political party in the 1960s was supported by the Chinese Communist Party. Thailand was an ally to the United States during the Vietnam War so the United States provided Thailand with aid, leading to urbanization and Westernization. This was right after the end of the rule of the general Sarit Thanarat from 1957-1963. On January 23, 1968, the USS Pueblo was captured by North Korea, which claimed that the ship had entered North Korean territory. In response, President Johnson negotiated for the release of the captive sailors to avoid getting into another war.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
(American, 1908 - 1973)
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Place of Publication
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