Government, Politics, and Reform

George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln are all represented in the Museum's collections—by a surveying compass, a lap desk, and a top hat, among other artifacts. But the roughly 100,000 objects in this collection reach beyond the possessions of statesmen to touch the broader political life of the nation—in election campaigns, the women's suffrage movement, labor activity, civil rights, and many other areas. Campaign objects make up much of the collection, including posters, novelties, ballots, voting machines, and many others. A second group includes general political history artifacts, such as first ladies' clothing and accessories, diplomatic materials, ceremonial objects, national symbols, and paintings and sculptures of political figures. The third main area focuses on artifacts related to political reform movements, from labor unions to antiwar groups.

referenced
Reagan, Ronald Wilson
ID Number
1984.0823.02
accession number
1984.0823
catalog number
1984.0823.02
Nicaragua's Literacy Crusade was sponsored by the Sandinista government in 1980.Currently not on view
Description
Nicaragua's Literacy Crusade was sponsored by the Sandinista government in 1980.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1980
associated date
1980
ID Number
1986.1035.092
catalog number
1986.1035.092
accession number
1986.1035
Associated Name
Nixon, Richard M.
ID Number
1985.0693.020
accession number
1985.0693
catalog number
1985.0693.020
A poster calling for expulsion of the Chilean junta from the United Nations. The Chilean junta was established after the overthrow of President Salvador Allende in 1973. The junta opposed those who were leftist.
Description
A poster calling for expulsion of the Chilean junta from the United Nations. The Chilean junta was established after the overthrow of President Salvador Allende in 1973. The junta opposed those who were leftist. Approximately 3,000 people were killed, 27,000 imprisoned, while others were exiled.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced
United Nations
ID Number
1986.1035.015
catalog number
1986.1035.015
accession number
1986.1035
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1988.0520.022
catalog number
1988.0520.022
accession number
1988.0520
Jesus Colon is a Puerto Rican and Father of the Nuyorian Movement, a cultural and intellectual movement comprised of authors, musicans, and artists of Puerto Rican or those of Puerto Rican descent.Currently not on view
Description
Jesus Colon is a Puerto Rican and Father of the Nuyorian Movement, a cultural and intellectual movement comprised of authors, musicans, and artists of Puerto Rican or those of Puerto Rican descent.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1983
associated date
1983
ID Number
1986.1035.013
catalog number
1986.1035.013
accession number
1986.1035
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1985.0106.066
accession number
1985.0106
catalog number
1985.0106.066
A poster used in the Poor People's Campaign. The Poor People's Campaign was motivated by the social and economic injustices that affected 22-33% of the population.
Description
A poster used in the Poor People's Campaign. The Poor People's Campaign was motivated by the social and economic injustices that affected 22-33% of the population. Poor People's Campaign was a mulit-racial event with African Americans, White Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans and Native Americans taking part. Hermanos con la Raza translates to Brother with the race.
Location
Currently not on view
associated date
1968
associated institution
Southern Christian Leadership Conference
referenced
Lenin, Vladimir Ilyich
ID Number
PL.279881.2L
catalog number
279881.2l
A ha;ndmade poster written in Spanish supporting CORE. The Congress of Racial Equality, founded in 1942, comprised of 50 original members, men and women, black and white.
Description
A ha;ndmade poster written in Spanish supporting CORE. The Congress of Racial Equality, founded in 1942, comprised of 50 original members, men and women, black and white. CORE used non-violent tactics to oppose segregation, employment discrimination, and supported voting rights.
Location
Currently not on view
associated date
1963?
referenced
Congress of Racial Equality
ID Number
PL.259949.16
catalog number
259949.16
A poster advertising the boycott of wines made in Modesto, California along with any non United Farm Workers lettuce and grapes.Currently not on view
Description
A poster advertising the boycott of wines made in Modesto, California along with any non United Farm Workers lettuce and grapes.
Location
Currently not on view
associated person
Chavez, Cesar
associated institution
United Farm Workers
ID Number
PL.321648.29
catalog number
321648.29
accession number
321648
date made
1970-09-03
ID Number
PL.319022.02
accession number
319022
catalog number
319022.02
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
referenced
American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations
United Farm Workers
ID Number
PL.321807.19
accession number
1976.321807
catalog number
321807.20
date made
1971 circa
referenced
Raza Unida Party
ID Number
PL.319022.50
accession number
319022
catalog number
319022.50
A poster with an image of Emilian Zapata. Emiliano Zapata was a famous general and revolutionary from the Mexican Revolution. He is also associated with the Chicano worker struggle.Currently not on view
Description
A poster with an image of Emilian Zapata. Emiliano Zapata was a famous general and revolutionary from the Mexican Revolution. He is also associated with the Chicano worker struggle.
Location
Currently not on view
associated person
Zapata, Emiliano
associated institution
United Farm Workers
depicted (sitter)
Zapata, Emiliano
ID Number
PL.296849.37
catalog number
296849.37
accession number
296849
A advertisement promoting the grape strike by the United Farm Workers.Currently not on view
Description
A advertisement promoting the grape strike by the United Farm Workers.
Location
Currently not on view
associated date
August 1
Associated Name
United Farm Workers
maker
Allied Printing Trades Council
ID Number
PL.296849.25
catalog number
296849.25
accession number
296849
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
direct
United Farm Workers
ID Number
PL.296849.01
catalog number
296849.01
accession number
296849
A poster with an abstract image of Mexican Revolutionary, Emiliano Zapata. The poster is advertising a dance benefit for Cesar Chavez's strikers with the United Farm Workers.Currently not on view
Description
A poster with an abstract image of Mexican Revolutionary, Emiliano Zapata. The poster is advertising a dance benefit for Cesar Chavez's strikers with the United Farm Workers.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced
Chavez, Cesar
affiliated union
United Farm Workers
depicted (sitter)
Zapata, Emiliano
ID Number
PL.296849.32
catalog number
296849.32
accession number
296849
A poster with an image of Pancho Villa. Pancho Villa was a Mexican guerilla fighter in the early 20th century, considered a champion of the people and advocate for land rights. He is also associated with the Chicano worker struggle.Currently not on view
Description
A poster with an image of Pancho Villa. Pancho Villa was a Mexican guerilla fighter in the early 20th century, considered a champion of the people and advocate for land rights. He is also associated with the Chicano worker struggle.
Location
Currently not on view
associated person
Villa, Pancho
associated institution
United Farm Workers
ID Number
PL.296849.36
catalog number
296849.36
accession number
296849
Poster referring to a lettuce growers strike in Salinas Valley, California in 1970-1971.Currently not on view
Description
Poster referring to a lettuce growers strike in Salinas Valley, California in 1970-1971.
Location
Currently not on view
associated institution; direct
United Farm Workers
ID Number
PL.296849.31
catalog number
296849.31
accession number
296849
Poster advertising the boycott on Salinas Valley lettuce growers, 1970-1971.
Description
Poster advertising the boycott on Salinas Valley lettuce growers, 1970-1971.
associated institution; direct
United Farm Workers
ID Number
PL.296849.34
catalog number
296849.34
accession number
296849
A poster with lyrics from the Simon and Garfunkle song, "Bridge Over Troubled Water" The poster states that Paul Simon will help spread the word about the cause of the Farm Workers.Currently not on view
Description
A poster with lyrics from the Simon and Garfunkle song, "Bridge Over Troubled Water" The poster states that Paul Simon will help spread the word about the cause of the Farm Workers.
Location
Currently not on view
quoted
Chavez, Cesar
Simon, Paul
affiliated union; direct
United Farm Workers
Associated Name
Simon, Paul
United Farm Workers
ID Number
PL.296849.33
catalog number
296849.33
accession number
296849
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1965-1970 circa
direct
United Farm Workers
ID Number
PL.296849.28
catalog number
296849.28
accession number
296849
Cesar Estrada Chavez, the founder of the United Farm Workers of America, is one of the most recognized Latino civil rights leaders in the United States. A Mexican American born in Yuma, Arizona, his family lost their small farm in the Great Depression (1930s).
Description
Cesar Estrada Chavez, the founder of the United Farm Workers of America, is one of the most recognized Latino civil rights leaders in the United States. A Mexican American born in Yuma, Arizona, his family lost their small farm in the Great Depression (1930s). Like many Americans, they joined the migration to California and worked for low wages in its great agricultural fields. The agricultural industry in the West was a modern, market-driven phenomenon. In 1965, the United Farm Workers of America, led by Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta, began its five-year Delano grape strike against area grape growers for equal wages for foreign workers. Filipino and Mexican Americans who labored in California vineyards were suddenly visible in the eyes of American consumers. The movement to boycott table grapes mobilized students and educated consumers across America. The text on this poster, printed around 1970, describes Chavez's vision of political and economic emancipation for farm workers. La Causa, or The Cause, as it was known among Mexican Americans, was the political and artistic touchstone of the Chicano movement.
Description (Spanish)
César Estrada Chávez, fundador del Sindicato de los Trabajadores Agrícolas de América (UFW, por sus siglas en inglés) es uno de los líderes más reconocidos de los derechos civiles de los latinos en Estados Unidos. Mexicoamericano, nacido en Yuma, Arizona, la familia perdió su pequeña granja durante la Gran Depresión (década de 1930). Al igual que muchos americanos, emigró hacia California para trabajar en los grandes campos agrícolas por un sueldo mínimo. La industria agrícola en el oeste era un fenómeno moderno, regido por el mercado. En 1965, el Sindicato de Trabajadores Agrícolas, conducido por César Chávez y Dolores Huerta, inició la huelga de la uva de Delano, la cual se prolongó durante cinco años, contra los productores de uva en pro de los derechos de paga de los trabajadores migratorios. Como consecuencia, los filipinos y mexicanoamericanos que trabajaban en los viñedos de California adquirieron una repentina presencia ante los ojos de los consumidores americanos. El movimiento de boicot a la producción de uva fresca movilizó a estudiantes y consumidores en toda América. El texto que se observa en este póster, impreso alrededor de 1970, describe la visión política de Chávez acerca de la emancipación política y económica de los trabajadores agrícolas. La Causa, como se la conocía entre los mexicoamericanos, era el pedernal político y artístico del movimiento chicano.
Location
Currently not on view
depicted (sitter)
Chavez, Cesar
associated; direct
United Farm Workers
maker
Lithographers and Photoengravers International Union
ID Number
PL.296849.35
catalog number
296849.35
accession number
296849
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1945
ID Number
2016.3086.244
nonaccession number
2016.3086
catalog number
2016.3086.244

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