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.

Following the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and the annexation of Texas, the land claims of many Mexican families were not respected, either by the new English-speaking settlers or by the U.S. government.
Description
Following the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and the annexation of Texas, the land claims of many Mexican families were not respected, either by the new English-speaking settlers or by the U.S. government. Dispossession from family- and community-owned lands dealt a severe economic blow to the livelihood of generations of Mexican Americans. The issue of land evokes especially bitter memories in New Mexico. In 1967, the year this poster was made with the slogan Tierra o Muerte, meaning Land or Death, a Hispanic land rights organization called La Alianza, led by Reies López Tijerina, raided the Rio Arriba County courthouse in Tierra Amarilla, New Mexico. In addition to reclaiming land from the government of New Mexico, the goals of the raid were to free imprisoned Alianza members and to arrest the district attorney who was prosecuting them as communists and outside agitators. The raid on the courthouse was ultimately unsuccessful and Tijerina served time in a federal prison. Although seen by some as a divisive figure, Reies López Tijerina was as recognizable as Cesar Chavez to many Chicano activists of the late 1960s. Mirroring similar political tensions in the African American community, Chicano civil rights activists were torn between leaders such as Chavez, who advocated nonviolence, and leaders like Tijerina, whose political strategy was decidedly more militant.
Description (Spanish)
Seguidamente al Tratado de Guadalupe Hidalgo y a la anexión de Texas, los reclamos territoriales de muchas familias mexicanas no fueron respetados, ya sea por los nuevos colonos de habla inglesa o por el gobierno de Estados Unidos. La expropiación de tierras a las familias y comunidades que las adueñaban fue un severo revés al sustento económico de varias generaciones de mexicoamericanos. La cuestión territorial evoca memorias amargas en Nuevo México. En 1967, año en que fue creado este póster con la leyenda Tierra o Muerte, una organización de derechos territoriales hispana llamada La Alianza, dirigida por Reies López Tijerina, allanó el palacio de justicia del condado de Río Arriba en Tierra Amarilla, Nuevo México. Además de reclamar tierras al gobierno de Nuevo México, los objetivos de la incursión eran liberar a los miembros encarcelados de la Alianza y arrestar al fiscal de distrito que los acusaba de comunistas y agitadores externos. El allanamiento del palacio de justicia terminó fracasando y Tijerina fue arrestado en una prisión del gobierno de Estados Unidos. Pese que se lo percibió como una figura que ocasionó divisiones, para muchos activistas chicanos de finales de la década de 1960, Reies López Tijerina constituyó una figura tan famosa como la de César Chávez. Replicando tensiones políticas similares dentro de la comunidad afroamericana, los activistas por los derechos civiles chicanos se debatían entre seguir a líderes tales como Chávez, quien abogaba en contra de la violencia, o líderes como Tijerina, cuya estrategia política era decididamente más militante.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1967
ID Number
1990.0654.01
catalog number
1990.0654.01
accession number
1990.0654
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1992.0592.02
catalog number
1992.0592.02
accession number
1992.0592
Customized college graduation cap, black, fabric, square in shape with a red and white tassel.
Description
Customized college graduation cap, black, fabric, square in shape with a red and white tassel. Attached white border to the top of the cap and attached white flowers, paper monarch butterflies (emblems of immigrant rights activists), and a Mexican flag pin and an LGBTQ pride pin. Also, text in white which reads "I am one of those people Mexico sent" with an image of a colored cactus beneath it..
Worn by Jairo Javier Morales at his gradution from Ripon College, Ripon Wisconsin. When he walked across the stage to graduate, Jairo opened up his gown, brought out large monarch butterfly wings, and performed a “revealing” of his status and sexual orientation to the crowd. His cap states “I’m one of those people Mexico Sent.” He donated his graduation robe, cap and his handmade, handpainted butterfly wings.
The collection combines the two most recognizable symbols of DACA—the graduation robe and the monarch wings. Therefore, the graduation robe, serves double duty by telegraphing DACAs key messages: migration is necessary and beautiful (the wings) and undocumented students right to an education versus low-wage employment. Javier is an undocumented artist and activist who constructed a graduation gown that expands out into full monarch butterfly wings. Javier attended and graduated from Rippon College in Wisconsin where he was one of a handful of students of color. He became very well-known and respected at Rippon becoming the Director of Events in the Office of Student Activities. He wanted everyone to know that that the person they admired was undocumented. So he unfolded his wings at graduation despite thinking “I’m going to die.” He received a standing ovation.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2020.0048.01
accession number
2020.0048
catalog number
2020.0048.01
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
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2020.0048.02
accession number
2020.0048
catalog number
2020.0048.02

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