Thomas Nast's enduring battle for human rights

Thomas Nash (1840-1902) was our first and greatest political editorial cartoonist and an enduring champion of human rights. 

His work appeared in Harper's Weekly between 1862 and 1886. 

Harper's was hugely popular in its' day with a Civil War circulation of 120,000. It was a liberal progressive (some said radical), paper that supported Abraham Lincoln, the preservation of the Union and gave Nast license to slay dragons as he saw fit. 

Nast's rise to prominence began with his depictions of Civil War battlefields. He later used his platform with Harpers to rail against political corruption and in support of immigration, women's suffrage and civil rights. He attacks on New York's Tammany Hall corruption under "Boss" Tweed remain legendary. 

He also credited popularizing the donkey and elephant as symbols for the Democrat and Republican parties. Known as "The President Maker", Nast's cartoons helped influence votes in presidential elections between 1864 and 1884. 

Many of the issues he brought to the fore and fought for remain relevant today. 

Below is a sampling of his work.  

Lincoln: 

The Death of Lincoln

The Civil War 

This condemnation of the corruption of the Supreme Court appeared in 1872.

This is one of Nast’s most powerful and effective illustrations, which was reprinted widely by Republicans in their effort to have Lincoln re-elected in 1864. It was widely considered to have played a crucial role in turning the tide of the campaign toward Lincoln’s favor.

Nast's depiction of the war on and exploitation of Native Americans published in 1876.  

Nast in support of equal suffrage in 1875 

Lady Liberty asks, "Can I trust these men?" 1865

In opposition to attempts to impose religious beliefs upon US. 

In honor of the Emancipation Proclamation - 1863

In support of freed slaves who vote on behalf of the Union- 1865

Nast's graphic depictions shined a light on racial violence during reconstruction.

1868

The Chinese Exclusion Act was a United States federal law signed by President Chester A. Arthur on May 6, 1882, prohibiting all immigration of Chinese laborers. It was repealed by the Magnuson Act on December 17, 1943, which allowed 105 Chinese to enter per year. Chinese immigration later increased with the passage of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, which abolished direct racial barriers, and later by Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965.

Our first "stolen" presidency was the Tilden-Hayes Presidential campaign of 1876 in which Samuel Tilden won the popular vote but was one vote shy of winning the electoral college. Following a partisan vote by an Electoral Commission that chose Hayes by one vote, Tiden agreed to end his campaign withdraw in exchange for the withdrawal of Federal troops from the South ending reconstruction. 

In support of Civil Rights