February 9, 1861

The North and The South

John McLenan

Utilizing characterizations of the North and the South in the debate over cotton, corn and slavery, this cartoon illustrates possible outcomes stemming from compromise. The North is represented by a caricature of Uncle Sam, in his usual top hat and striped pants, sitting upon a bag of corn. The bearded man seated upon a cotton bale with his guns drawn is a caricature of a typical “Southern Gentleman” and representative of the South. The third person in the cartoon, positioned in the center and between the North and the South, is a large African American man leaning upon a hoe. This third figure embodies the issue of slavery.

Jacci Dewdney

Leave a Reply