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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
LBJ's Biggest Issue
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

LBJ's Biggest Issue

Artifact ID1973.1.1583
Object Type Cartoon Drawing
Artist
Publisher
Gifter
Medium Ink and grease pencil on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 12 1/2 in x W 10 1/2 in (31.8 cm x 26.7 cm )
Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. A skeleton ("Vietnam War") dressed as an infantryman approaches LBJ, who stands on the White House surrounded by other issues (“‘68 Election Issues”, “High Cost of Living”, “Inflation”, “Increase in Taxes”, “more troops to Vietnam”, “Summer Riots”). Caption: “LBJ's Biggest Issue”. Artist signature lower right: "Shevchik”.
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at upper left: [strikethrough] [illegible].
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. 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. President Johnson was up for his second term during the 1968 election, but he would later withdraw from the race on March 31, 1968. 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, 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.
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 (United States, 1908 - 1973)
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Place of Publication
Beaver Falls
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