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.
Maybe It Should Be Redesigned
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

Maybe It Should Be Redesigned

Artifact ID1973.1.1576
Object Type Cartoon Drawing
Medium Ink and grease pencil on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 14 7/8 in x W 11 in (37.8 cm x 27.9 cm )
Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. A man ("Civilian Advisors") talks to LBJ about a rifle ("75% Service and Support Troops") with a short bayonet ("25% Combat Troops") laying on a table ("Military Effort in Vietnam"). Caption: “Maybe It Should Be Redesigned”. Artist signature lower right: "Donovan”. A small piece of paper “The Journal of the Armed Forces” adhered to lower right.
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at lower center: “19 ½ picas”. A small piece of paper “James A Donovan Jr 7365 Hunters Br Rd Atlanta, GA. 30328” adhered to lower right.
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. In March 1968, Lyndon Johnson withdrew from the presidential race to try to end the war and in October, he announced a bombing halt over Vietnam. Pro-war “hawks” supported escalating the war to stop the spread of Communism in Southeast Asia. Pro-war figures believed that the war could be won if the United States had enough public support. Anti-war “doves” included both people who opposed the war ideologically, considering it to be unjust, and people who just believed the war was unwinnable. The number of doves increased over the course of the war.
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 (American, 1908 - 1973)
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Related Links