Down in the Dumps
Artifact ID1973.1.771
Object Type
Cartoon Drawing
Artist
R. H. (Dick) Hodgins
Gifter
R. H. (Dick) Hodgins
Medium
Ink and watercolor on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 12 1/8 in x W 9 1/2 in (30.8 cm x 24.1 cm )
Physical DescriptionPhysical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. Humphrey plays a violin. A man ("Great Society") sits on a trash heap ("Vietnam War”, “Pueblo”, “Taxes”, “Lawlessness”, “Riots”, “High Cost of Living”, “$$ Value Lower”) and asks "How about playing, among my souvenirs?". A donkey holds a flag (“Demos”) and watches. Caption: “Down in the Dumps”. Artist signature lower right: "Hodgins SR. Orlando Star”.
Historical NoteThe Johnson Administration submitted 87 bills to Congress, and Johnson signed 84, or 96%, arguably the most successful legislative agenda in US congressional history. When Lyndon B. Johnson signed the 1964 Revenue Act that decreased income taxes and refused to raise taxes, spending by consumers and businesses increased. Along with government spending from the Vietnam War and Great Society, all of this increase of demand led to inflation. Over 150 race-related riots took place in cities across the country during the Long, Hot Summer of 1967 in response to unemployment, police brutality, and discrimination. In response, President Johnson authorized the Kerner Commission to investigate the causes of the riots, and politicians such as Richard Nixon campaigned on “law and order” during the 1968 presidential election. 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. 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, President Johnson escalated the conflict to a full-scale war and over 1967, there were 500,000 American troops in 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.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
Hubert H. Humphrey
(United States, 1911 - 1978)
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Place of Publication