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

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
associated date
1976 09 26
ID Number
ZZ.RSN82646O11

Poster, "Freedom From Fear"

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.314098.03
accession number
314098
catalog number
314098.03

Join the Boycott - Don't Buy Gallo Wines

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

Win the Next War Now

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1918
Associated Name
National War Garden Commission
ID Number
ZZ.RSN82662Y10

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.308368.17
catalog number
308368.17

Poster, "Save Freedom Of Worship"

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.314098.01
accession number
314098
catalog number
314098.01

Bob Dole for President

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
associated dates
1996 03 / 1996 03
depicted
Dole, Bob
ID Number
1996.0098.07
catalog number
1996.0098.07
accession number
1996.0098

Hands that pick cotton...

A poster sponsored by the Voter Education Project encouraging citizens to register and vote.
Description
A poster sponsored by the Voter Education Project encouraging citizens to register and vote. The Voter Education Project began in 1962, it raised and distributed fund to civil rights groups, especially in southern states, in an effort to register citizens so they could vote at election time.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1970
copyright date
1970
maker
Voter Education Project, Inc.
ID Number
1980.0151.05
catalog number
1980.0151.05
accession number
1980.0151

Workers Voice to Stop CEO Exploits

The Service Employees International Union represents almost 2 million workers in the health care field, including hosptials, home health, nursing home workers, public services and property services.Currently not on view
Description
The Service Employees International Union represents almost 2 million workers in the health care field, including hosptials, home health, nursing home workers, public services and property services.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
2009
maker
Service Employees International Union
ID Number
2009.0145.05
accession number
2009.0145.05
2009.0145

It's Time for an Economy that works for Everyone

The Service Employees International Union represents almost 2 million workers in the health care field, including hosptials, home health, nursing home workers, public services and property services.Currently not on view
Description
The Service Employees International Union represents almost 2 million workers in the health care field, including hosptials, home health, nursing home workers, public services and property services.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
2009
user
Service Employees International Union
maker
Service Employees International Union
ID Number
2009.0145.06
catalog number
2009.0145.01
accession number
2009.0145

Action Day against Corporate Excess

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
2009
associated date
2009-03-19
maker
Service Employees International Union
ID Number
2009.0145.04
catalog number
2009.0145.04
accession number
2009.0145

Women's History Week

A 1981 poster sponsored by TABS, aids for ending sexism in schools.Currently not on view
Description
A 1981 poster sponsored by TABS, aids for ending sexism in schools.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1981
associated date
1981
depicted (sitter)
Stanton, Elizabeth Cady
Rankin, Jeannette
indirect
United Farm Workers
depicted (sitter)
Rankin, Jeannette
ID Number
1981.0878.02 [dup1]
accession number
1981.0878
catalog number
1981.0878.02

Poster, "Viva la Huelga/ Don't buy Farrah pants!"

A green poster with black and white text; "Viva la Huelga/ Don't buy Farrah pants!" In the 1970s, garment unions represented about 850,000 workers out of a total industry work force of 1.3 million.
Description
A green poster with black and white text; "Viva la Huelga/ Don't buy Farrah pants!" 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 institution
Farah of Texas
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America
maker
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America
ID Number
1981.0452.07
accession number
1981.0452
catalog number
1981.0452.07

Poster, Si Se Puede Boycott Lettuce and Grapes

Cesar Chavez continued to keep the sweatshop conditions of farm labor in the nation’s eye as he organized the United Farm Workers of America during the 1960s.
Description
Cesar Chavez continued to keep the sweatshop conditions of farm labor in the nation’s eye as he organized the United Farm Workers of America during the 1960s. This UFW poster urged consumers to show their support for the UFW by refusing to buy lettuce and grapes.
Location
Currently not on view
associated institution
United Farm Workers
ID Number
1977.0660.08
accession number
1977.0660
catalog number
1977.0660.08

poster

A 1988 poster asking for consumers to boycott grapes.Currently not on view
Description
A 1988 poster asking for consumers to boycott grapes.
Location
Currently not on view
Associated Name
AFL-CIO
United Farm Workers
ID Number
1988.0520.132
catalog number
1988.0520.132
accession number
1988.0520

poster

A 1988 poster asking for consumers to boycott grapes.Currently not on view
Description
A 1988 poster asking for consumers to boycott grapes.
Location
Currently not on view
Associated Name
United Farm Workers
ID Number
1988.0520.131
catalog number
1988.0520.131
accession number
1988.0520

The Homosexual Citizen In The Great Society

A poster used in the 1960s Gay Rights Movement.Currently not on view
Description
A poster used in the 1960s Gay Rights Movement.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1965-24-26
associated date
September 24, 1965
associated
Kameny, Frank
referenced
Johnson, Lyndon B.
ID Number
2007.0131.17
catalog number
2007.0131.17
accession number
2007.0131

Bury Obamacare with Kennedy

A Tea Party poster making reference to President Obama's universal health care plan and the death of Sentator Ted Kennedy. Kennedy had said that universal health care was "the cause of my life."Currently not on view
Description
A Tea Party poster making reference to President Obama's universal health care plan and the death of Sentator Ted Kennedy. Kennedy had said that universal health care was "the cause of my life."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
2009
used date
2009
user
Tea Party Patriots Inc.
referenced
Kennedy, Edward M.
Obama, Barack H.
ID Number
2009.0194.11
catalog number
2009.0194.11
accession number
2009.0194

Pass the Anti-Poll Tax Bill

A poster sponsored by the American Negro Congress asking citizens to contact their senators to pass the anti-poll tax bill.Currently not on view
Description
A poster sponsored by the American Negro Congress asking citizens to contact their senators to pass the anti-poll tax bill.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca. 1943
ID Number
2007.0046.01
catalog number
2007.0046.01
accession number
2007.0046

Listen to Me!

A poster used at a Tea Party Protest in Washington, DC on April 15, 2010.Currently not on view
Description
A poster used at a Tea Party Protest in Washington, DC on April 15, 2010.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
2010
used date
April 15, 2010
user
Tea Party Patriots Inc.
distributor
Republican National Committee
ID Number
2010.0068.07
catalog number
2010.0068.07
accession number
2010.0068

Poster, "Jobs For the 99% Tax For the Rich"

This poster was used at Occupy D.C. demonstrations in McPherson Square in Washington, DC.
Description
This poster was used at Occupy D.C. demonstrations in McPherson Square in Washington, DC.
date made
2012
ID Number
2012.0020.04
accession number
2012.0020
catalog number
2012.0020.04

A "Bean-Ball" Is Pilau

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
referenced
International Longshoremen's and Warehousemen's Union
maker
International Longshoremen's and Warehousemen's Union
ID Number
2009.0103.01
catalog number
2009.0103.01
accession number
2009.0103

Poster, "Secure Our Borders Now!"

This poster, critical of immigration policy, was used at the Tea Party rally on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on April 15, 2010.
Description
This poster, critical of immigration policy, was used at the Tea Party rally on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on April 15, 2010.
date made
2010-04-15
04-15-2010
used date
2010-04-15
user
Tea Party Patriots Inc.
referenced
Congress of the United States
Immigration and Naturalization Service
State of California
State of New Mexico
Republic of Texas
maker
Tea Party Patriots Inc.
ID Number
2010.0068.03
catalog number
2010.0068.03
accession number
2010.0068

poster

A Libertarian campaign poster.Currently not on view
Description
A Libertarian campaign poster.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Libertarian Party
ID Number
2008.0123.04
catalog number
2008.0123.04
accession number
2008.0123

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.