Government, Politics, and Reform

March on Washington Handbill

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.

Resource Type: Posters

Poster, "Hands that Pick Cotton", 1972

associated dates
1972 / 1972
ID Number
PL.299448.06
accession number
299448
catalog number
299448.06

poster

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1963-1964
associated date
1963?
related
Congress of Racial Equality
ID Number
PL.259949.13
catalog number
259949.13

Freedom Now/Core

The Congress of Racial Equality was 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.Currently not on view
Description
The Congress of Racial Equality was 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
date made
ca 1963-1964
referenced
Congress of Racial Equality
ID Number
PL.259949.14
catalog number
259949.14

Poster, "Rise Up Women", 1972

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
PL.299448.58
accession number
299448
catalog number
299448.58

Poster, "I Am A Man"

The “I Am A Man” poster was originally designed for the Memphis Sanitation Workers Strike. This poster was used during the Poor People’s Campaign in Washington, D.C., during summer 1968.
Description
The “I Am A Man” poster was originally designed for the Memphis Sanitation Workers Strike. This poster was used during the Poor People’s Campaign in Washington, D.C., during summer 1968.
ID Number
PL.279881.22
accession number
279881
catalog number
279881.22

poster

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1963-1964
associated date
1963?
related
Congress of Racial Equality
ID Number
PL.259949.12
catalog number
259949.12

Kennedy- Johnson

A poster supporting Democrat John Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson for President and Vice President in 1960.Currently not on view
Description
A poster supporting Democrat John Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson for President and Vice President in 1960.
Location
Currently not on view
associated date
1960
associated person
Johnson, Lyndon B. (Lyndon Baines)
Kennedy, John F.
ID Number
PL.227739.1960.F038
catalog number
227739.1960.F038

Know Nothing Poster, 1854

The American Party, also called the Know-Nothings, was a major national political force in the 1850s. It saw immigrants and Catholics as the greatest threat to self-government and to the nation.
Description
The American Party, also called the Know-Nothings, was a major national political force in the 1850s. It saw immigrants and Catholics as the greatest threat to self-government and to the nation. Arguing for rule by native-born Protestants, the Know-Nothings ran former President Millard Fillmore as their presidential candidate in the 1856 election. Though James Buchanan won the presidency, Fillmore received over 21 percent of the vote. During the Civil War the movement fractured and largely disappeared, but fear and distrust of new immigrants remained within the core beliefs of many future political movements. This 1850s advertising broadside is for The Dollar Weekly Times, an American Party-affiliated newspaper.
associated person
Washington, George
Fillmore, Millard
ID Number
PL.227739.1854.F01
catalog number
227739.1854.F01
accession number
227739

100 Years Is Too Long ...

A handmade poster supporting CORE. The Congress of Racial Equality was founded in 1942, comprised of 50 original members, men and women, black and white.
Description
A handmade poster supporting CORE. The Congress of Racial Equality was 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
date made
ca 1963-1964
referenced
Congress of Racial Equality
ID Number
PL.259949.10
catalog number
259949.10

poster

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.Currently not on view
Description
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
date made
ca 1963-1964
associated date
1963?
referenced
Congress of Racial Equality
ID Number
PL.259949.18
catalog number
259949.18

Poster, "Registrese y Vote", 1972

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
PL.299448.54
accession number
299448
catalog number
299448.54

Exigimos Igualidad- Ahora Ya!

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

poster

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1963-1964
related
Congress of Racial Equality
ID Number
PL.259949.11
catalog number
259949.11

Token Integration is NOT Enough/ 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.Currently not on view
Description
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
date made
ca 1963-1964
associated date
1963?
referenced
Congress of Racial Equality
ID Number
PL.259949.20
catalog number
259949.20

This School is a Disgrace to its Name Says 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.Currently not on view
Description
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
date made
ca 1963-1964
associated date
1963?
referenced
Congress of Racial Equality
ID Number
PL.259949.19
catalog number
259949.19

Poster, UNITE!

In the 1970s, garment unions represented about 850,000 workers out of a total industry work force of 1.3 million. Membership declined rapidly as businesses moved offshore and into the non-union South and Southwest.
Description
In the 1970s, garment unions represented about 850,000 workers out of a total industry work force of 1.3 million. Membership declined rapidly as businesses moved offshore and into the non-union South and Southwest. In 1995, garment unions with a combined membership of about 335,000 merged to form the Union of Needletrades, Industrial & Textile Employees (UNITE). Organizing new workers has been a major priority.
Location
Currently not on view
associated dates
1995 / 1995
maker
Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees
ID Number
1995.0223.11
catalog number
1995.0223.11
accession number
1995.0223

We Will Decide November 3rd Naral Freedom of Choice Act

A poster used in the 1992 March for Women's Lives in Washington, DC.Currently not on view
Description
A poster used in the 1992 March for Women's Lives in Washington, DC.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1992
used date
April 5, 1992
referenced
NARAL
maker
NARAL
ID Number
1992.0238.04
catalog number
1992.0238.04
accession number
1992.0238

Poster, "Smash Imperialism"

Poster, carried at April 27, 1974, rally demanding an end to President Richard Nixon’s support for the war in Vietnam.Currently not on view
Description
Poster, carried at April 27, 1974, rally demanding an end to President Richard Nixon’s support for the war in Vietnam.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
PL.321807.06
accession number
321807
catalog number
321807.06

Abolishing Slavery

An engraving of the Congressional Resolution of the 13th Amendment to abolish slavery. The 13th Amendment was ratified in December 1865.Currently not on view
Description
An engraving of the Congressional Resolution of the 13th Amendment to abolish slavery. The 13th Amendment was ratified in December 1865.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1864
circa 1865
ID Number
PL.35752.8007
accession number
35752
catalog number
35752.8007

Frances Farenthold Governor

Frances Farenthold was a member of the Texas House of Representatives from 1969-1973 and ran for Governor of Texas in 1972 and 1974.Currently not on view
Description
Frances Farenthold was a member of the Texas House of Representatives from 1969-1973 and ran for Governor of Texas in 1972 and 1974.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c. 1972
associated institution
National Women's Political Caucus
ID Number
PL.308368.16
catalog number
308368.16

Poster, "Freedom From Want"

In defense of democracies around the world, President Franklin D. Roosevelt in his annual message to Congress on January 6, 1941, articulated the aims of the nation facing the threat of a world at war.
Description
In defense of democracies around the world, President Franklin D. Roosevelt in his annual message to Congress on January 6, 1941, articulated the aims of the nation facing the threat of a world at war. “We look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms” he stated. Two of these freedoms were specifically included in the Bill of Rights, freedom of speech and freedom of religion. Two were freedoms deeply desired by a generation confronted by economic depression and the threat of dictatorships, freedom from want and freedom from fear.
Artist Norman Rockwell dramatized those aims in a series of paintings that appeared as covers for the Saturday Evening Post and as posters produced by the Office of War Information for its war bond campaign in 1943.
date made
1940s
artist
Rockwell, Norman
maker
Rockwell, Norman
ID Number
PL.314098.02
accession number
314098
catalog number
314098.02

A Proven Winner Gov. Reagan

In 1968 California Governor Ronald Reagn sought the Republican nomination for President.Currently not on view
Description
In 1968 California Governor Ronald Reagn sought the Republican nomination for President.
Location
Currently not on view
associated date
1968
depicted (sitter)
Reagan, Ronald
ID Number
ZZ.RSN81509Y05

Poster, "Save Freedom of Speech"

In defense of democracies around the world, President Franklin D. Roosevelt in his annual message to Congress on January 6, 1941, articulated the aims of the nation facing the threat of a world at war.
Description
In defense of democracies around the world, President Franklin D. Roosevelt in his annual message to Congress on January 6, 1941, articulated the aims of the nation facing the threat of a world at war. “We look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms” he stated. Two of these freedoms were specifically included in the Bill of Rights, freedom of speech and freedom of religion. Two were freedoms deeply desired by a generation confronted by economic depression and the threat of dictatorships, freedom from want and freedom from fear.
Artist Norman Rockwell dramatized those aims in a series of paintings that appeared as covers for the Saturday Evening Post and as posters produced by the Office of War Information for its war bond campaign in 1943.
date made
1940s
artist
Rockwell, Norman
ID Number
PL.314098.04
catalog number
314098.04
accession number
314098

"The Dirty Dozen" Poster

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, as Americans became more aware of the need to protect the environment, political organizations and campaigns arose to combat pollution and the waste of our country’s natural resources.
Description
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, as Americans became more aware of the need to protect the environment, political organizations and campaigns arose to combat pollution and the waste of our country’s natural resources. The League of Conservation Voters, established in 1969 to raise public awareness, began to publish an annual list of congressional legislators who consistently voted against clean energy and conservation.
This 1974 poster distributed by Environmental Action depicts 12 members of Congress, Republicans and Democrats alike, who were accused of voting on the side of commercial interests over environmental concerns. Their faces are superimposed on a picture of an early 20th-century “sports team” wearing the letter “D” (Dirty Dozen) on their sweaters.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1974
associated date
1974
associated institution
Congress of the United States
ID Number
PL.319894.01
catalog number
319894.01
accession number
319894

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