"Studying Political Economy"

This political cartoon mocks General Zachary Taylor's military background and lack of political experience. Taylor sits on a low stool beside his more politically experienced running mate, Millard Fillmore. Taylor is wearing a paper hat made out of a newspaper called The True Whig. He is learning to spell "Wilmot" and "Proviso." This is a reference to the Wilmot Proviso, which would have banned slavery in U.S. territories acquired during the Mexican War. It was one of the main issues in the election of 1848. The bloodhound beside him wears a collar marked "Florida" in reminder of Taylor's controversial use of bloodhounds to track Indians in the Second Seminole War. To the right, two African-Americans polish General Taylor's weapons. Zachary Taylor became the twelfth president in 1849.

Original Format:
download hi-res watermarked image
Related Categories:

