Escalation
Artifact ID1973.1.435
Object Type
Cartoon Drawing
Date
ca. March 1967
Medium
Ink and grease pencil on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 22 3/4 in x W 14 1/8 in (57.8 cm x 35.9 cm )
Physical DescriptionPhysical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. LBJ hides under his desk holding a paper ("Viet Policy War"). Many bombs (“Fulbright”, “Percy”, “Mansfield”, “RFK”, “Javits”, “Morse”) fall around him. Caption: “Escalation”. Additional text at lower right: “Independent, Press-Telegram © 1967 Lew Little Syndicate”. Artist signature lower right: "Wallmeyer”.
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at lower left: “To President Lyndon B. Johnson with best wishes - Dick Wallmeyer” “Tues. 1-PT” “Edit. Page” “3-7-67”. Handwritten at lower center: [circle] “6 ¼” wide” “5 ⅜” wide”. Handwritten at lower center: “1 engraving”. Handwritten at lower right: “del to Compasing Rm.” “del to Dispatch for Mats”.
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 attracted many critics due to the loss of life, cost to the economy, and ineffectiveness at stopping the spread of Communism.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 NoteIndependent, Press-Telegram © 1967 Lew Little Syndicate
Copyright 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.
Copyright 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
Robert F. Kennedy
(United States, 1925 - 1968)
Person Referenced
J. William Fulbright
(United States, 1905 - 1995)
Person Referenced
Mike Mansfield
(United States, 1903 - 2001)
Person Referenced
Charles H. Percy
(United States, 1919 - 2011)
Person Referenced
Jacob K. Javits
(United States, 1904 - 1986)
Person Referenced
Wayne Morse
(United States, 1900 - 1974)
Person Referenced
Lyndon Baines Johnson
(United States, 1908 - 1973)
Person Referenced
Lyndon Baines Johnson
(United States, 1908 - 1973)
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Subjects
Place of Publication