Online Exhibition: Drawn into Politics

The Accusing Finger by Charles Henry Sykes (1882-1942), ca. 1936

Referencing the British White Paper after the remilitarization of Rhineland, March 7, 1936. They proposed mutual assistance between Britian, France, Belgium and Italy, specifically, if they were victims of unprovoked aggression. A few other conditions for settling with Germany were:

I. During the period of negotiation British and Italian troops occupy a zone in Germany 12½ miles wide bordering the French Frontier.

II. No further German forces enter the Rhineland and no fortifications are erected there.

To read more :Time Magazine, March 30, 1936 http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,931374,00.html#ixzz22KMG7crc

Here, Snap Out Of It by Charles Henry Sykes (1882-1942)

"When in 1939 war did break out between Germany on the one hand, and Britain and France on the other, President Franklin D. Roosevelt dutifully invoked the Neutrality Acts. However, he believed that this was a fundamentally different war from World War I. Germany, he believed (and most Americans agreed with him) was in this case a clear aggressor. Roosevelt therefore sought to provide assistance for the Allies, while still keeping the United States out of the war. He began by asking Congress to amend the neutrality laws to allow arms sales to the Allies. Later on, after German forces overran France, the president asked Congress for a massive program of direct military aid to Great Britain—an initiative that Roosevelt dubbed 'Lend-Lease.' In both cases the legislature agreed to FDR's proposals, but only after intense debate."

Source for the quote: Moser, John and Lori Hahn. "From Neutrality to War: The United States and Europe, 1921-1941". EDSITEment: the best of the humanities on the web, The national endowment for the humanities website.

Link: edsitement.neh.gov/curriculum-unit/neutrality-war-united-states-and-europe-1921-1941

There's Nothing Wrong With You That A Year In The Army Won't Fix by Kirk LeRoy Stiles (1912-1980)

The cartoonist offers a humorous take on the usual pre-enlistment physical examination. Despite the man's less than perfect physique, the doctor gives his approval and comments: "There's nothing wrong with you a year in the army won't fix."

The Bill, Saturday 28th by James Hammon

This cartoon shows a surprised and anxious Germany being presented a very long bill by the winners of World War One, the Allies.

At the Yalta Conference, February 1945, the Soviet Union proposed that Germany make reparations of $20,000,000,000. This amount was never demanded but the Yalta Conference did establish that Germany should compensate the Allies for war damages. It was estimated that the damages reached approximately $320,000,000,000.