Skip to main content
Collections Menu
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
No Time for a Monkey-Wrench in the Works
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

No Time for a Monkey-Wrench in the Works

Artifact ID1966.64.207
Object Type Cartoon Drawing
Artist (United States, 1910 - 1985)
Gifter
Publisher (founded 1876)
Date ca. March 1966
Medium Ink and grease pencil on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 19 1/8 in x W 15 in (48.6 cm x 38.1 cm )
Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. A large monkey-wrench (Sen. Fulbright) grabs a large gear ("U.S. Policy on Vietnam" "Red China Issues") that turns smaller gear ("Anti-Communist Policy"). Uncle Sam watches angrily. Caption reads: "No Time for a Monkey-Wrench in the Works". Artist signature lower right: "Knox Nashville Banner".
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at lower right: "3/30/66" "5x".
Historical NoteJ. William Fulbright was a Democratic senator from Arkansas. He was the head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and supported detente policies. He became one of the loudest critics of the Johnson administration’s Vietnam policy. 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 October 1964, China detonated its first atomic bomb. 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 by 1966, the year this cartoon was made, there were 400,000 American troops in Vietnam. During the Johnson administration, US 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 United States ensured that it would not want a war with China, but also remained steadfast in its position on 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 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 J. William Fulbright (United States, 1905 - 1995)
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Place Described
VietnamChina
Place of Publication
Nashville
Related Links