"!Jau!" Cartoon
Artifact IDMO 63.2587
Object Type
Editorial Cartoon
Date
1962
Artist
Al Carreno
(Cartoonist, Mexican, 1905 - 1964)
Medium
printed paper
DimensionsOverall H 12 in x W 15 in (30.5 cm x 38.1 cm )
Physical DescriptionCartoon showing President John F. Kennedy and President Adolfo Lopez Mateos of Mexico smoking a peace pipe and burning a big stick. Caption in Spanish above reads "!Jau! [English translation: "How!]" (stereotyped greeting derived from anglicized Lakota greeting). President Kennedy is dressed like stereotypical Native American chief wearing a long headdress. President Lopez Mateos is dressed like a stereotypical Mayan King and smoking a peace pipe.
Historical NoteFrom the start of his presidency, Kennedy sought to improve relations with Latin America by supporting social and economic initiatives there as a means of discouraging the growth of communist and socialist governments. This political cartoon was created in response to President Kennedy's 1962 visit to Mexico and talks between him and Mexican President Adolfo Lopez Mateos. The two leaders issued a joint statement to mark "a new era of understanding and friendship" between the their countries, and affirmed their acceptance of "the responsibility of every sovereign nation to form its own policies, without outside dictation or coercion." The "Big Stick" being burned in the cartoon refers to so-called Big Stick diplomacy in which peaceful negotiation is supported by the unspoken threat of military force--a staple of U.S. foreign policy in Latin America since President Theodore Roosevelt coined the term in the early twentieth century.
Additional DetailsCustodial History NoteThis item is material associated with the White House the Kennedy Administration and the Executive Offices of the President. It was either government property or was donated to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum by the Estate of President John F. Kennedy in 1965.
Credit LineJohn F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA; Gift of the Estate of President John F. Kennedy
National Archives Catalog CollectionJohn F. Kennedy Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 1676934)
National Archives Catalog SeriesKennedy Administration Collection 1960-1963 (National Archives Identifier 1676959)
Use Restriction StatusCopyright- non NARAUse Restriction NoteCopyright and other proprietary rights may be held by individuals or entities other than the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum does not warrant that the use of these materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is the user’s responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions.Subjects
In Collection(s)
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