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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
His Arms Full of Problems
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

His Arms Full of Problems

Artifact ID1973.1.1838
Medium Ink and grease pencil on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 12 1/4 in x W 10 7/8 in (31.1 cm x 27.6 cm )

Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. LBJ, in a nightgown and slippers, walks over the floor ("LBJ-Kosygin Glassboro Talks Toward Peace") with a crying baby ("Vietnam"), and another baby ("Middle East") with a bottle (“UN”). An arrow points to the baby with a bottle and the text reads “How long will he be quiet?”. LBJ says, "And Kosygin left me with the babies!" LBJ walks past a window, showing the night sky. Caption: “​​His Arms Full of Problems”. Artist signature lower right: "Shevchik”.
Historical NoteIn 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. On June 5, 1967, after a series of border skirmishes and rising tensions between Israel and Syria and Egypt, Israel attacked Egypt. This led to a war that lasted until June 10 between Israel on one side and Egypt, Syria, and Jordan on the other. Israel captured a lot of territory from the war and hundreds of thousands of Palastinians became refugees. In June 1967, Lyndon Johnson and Aleksey Kosygin met in Glassboro, New Jersey to discuss issues concerning world peace such as the Six Day War, the Vietnam War, and the nuclear arms race. It was notable for being successful in decreasing tensions, even though no agreements were signed.
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
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 Aleksey N. Kosygin (Russian, 1904 - 1980)
Person Referenced Lyndon Baines Johnson (American, 1908 - 1973)
Not on view
Place of Publication