The American Civil War began April 12, 1861 and ended on May 9, 1865. That’s 4 years, 27 days -- or 1,488 days -- in which our nation was embroiled in controversy over the usage of slavery. The controversy was no ordinary dispute or disagreement. Instead, it was an all out war where 620,000 soldiers reportedly died from combat, accident, starvation, and disease during the Civil War. This regretful period of our nation’s history, despite its atrocities and harrowing bloodbaths, gave rise to a new era of illustrators and political satirists who used their talents to either inform the masses or help sway public opinion. This presentation, which showcases 15 Civil War-era illustrations worth noting, was researched, assembled, and written by MFA of Illustration graduate student Mayra Ruiz-McPherson.

1. Civil War Propaganda
& Political Satire
By Mayra Ruiz-McPherson
GLA 629 OL1: 150 Years of American Illustration

2. Introduction
The American Civil War began April 12, 1861 and ended on May 9, 1865.
That’s 4 years, 27 days -- or 1,488 days -- in which our nation was embroiled in
controversy over the usage of slavery. This controversy was no ordinary dispute or
disagreement. Instead, it was an all out war where 620,000 soldiers reportedly died from
combat, accident, starvation, and disease during the Civil War1
.
This regretful period of our nation’s history, despite its atrocities and harrowing
bloodbaths, gave rise to a new era of illustrators and political satirists who used their
talents to either inform the masses or help sway public opinion.
This presentation showcases 15 Civil War-era illustrations worth noting.
1 Source: Civil War Trust (https://www.civilwar.org/learn/articles/civil-war-facts)

3. “On the last platform”
This illustration shows Jeff Davis hanging from a
noose. So who is Jeff Davis? And why is he labeled
here as “President” in quotes?
The answer: Jeff Davis is actually pro-slavery
advocate Jefferson Finis Davis, the first and only
President of the Confederate States of America,
elected for a six-year term in 1862.
In this clearly anti-slavery movement illustration, Davis
is depicted as the murderous Roman emperor Nero,
the last emperor of the Julio-Claudian dynasty.

4. More Jeff Davis ...
It’s clear Jeff Davis inspired
pro-Union illustrators because he
was often the subject of lampooning
and constant ridicule, as shown in
this illustration to the left.
We can see Davis is absurdly drawn,
shown sobbing like a baby and
resembling a clown.
Source
Civil War Propaganda Scrapbooks, Archives
Center, National Museum of American History

5. More Jeff Davis ...
Southern “Ass-stock Crazy”
Another pro-Union illustration mocking
Confederate culture. The donkey symbol
exacerbates the ridicule, and the witty copywriting
is the satirized cherry on top!
Source
Civil War Propaganda Scrapbooks, Archives Center, National Museum of American History

6. A Contrast of Two
American “Presidents”
The striking differences between
Confederacy President Jeff Davis
and Union/American President
Abraham Lincoln are visually and
sharply depicted in this Civil
War-era illustration.
Every detail in this image is
dripping with a polar opposite
message. And the differences are
deeply significant and
diametrically opposed values and
beliefs fueling the conflict.

7. #SlaverySarcasm
This pro-Union illustration sharply chastises the very act of slavery, which requires beloved families to be separated
because they are sold off to others. The visual tragedy of this act is reinforced by the image’s biting caption.

8. Pillow Talk
What could possibly be inside a head made from a
pillow? Whatever that answer could be, surely “a
brain” would not be the first thing that comes to mind.
More like feathers or cotton stuffing, but not a brain.
That seems to be the intention of this next Civil War
illustration, geniously drawn to humiliate and poke
great fun of wealthy Confederate General Gideon
Johnson Pillow.
Unfortunately for the “pillowed” General, his last
name of Pillow was a constant source of satirical
illustration for pro-Union illustrators.

9. Diabolically Divine
Slavery is akin to the Devil.
And anyone pro-slavery is aligned
with Satan.
That’s the clear message gleaned
from this pro-Union illustration,
showing a southern clergymen
teaching a sermon but painted as
one that’s been corrupt by
demoralizing values and diabolical
affiliations.

10. Southern “Hospitality”
There’s no eloquence at the end of a
cracking whip, and that’s the strong
message conveyed by this illustration,
spotlighting the despicable act of
slavery whipping of “the Sunny South.”
The slave’s silently painful grimace
speaks volumes and speaks to his
sense of anguish, pain, and
inexcusable torture.

11. Snake Killers:
WANTED
Hawks are adept, agile hunters
who prey on smaller game,
including snakes.
Therefore, the alignment of this
military recruitment poster
aligning pro-Union patriotism
with “smaller game” and vermin
-- like those Confederate
snakes -- makes perfect visual
and messaging sense!

12. And even more
snakes ...
This illustration seeps in
pro-Confederate
symbolism.
The copperhead snakes
represent Clement Laird
Vallandigham, leader of the
"Copperheads," and his
supporters. The snakes
attack Lincoln and several
emancipated slaves.
The many surrounding
quotes and captions satire
pro-Union positions and
values.

13. Anti-Negro
Suffrage
This poster urges
pro-Confederate types to
“read the platforms” of those
in Congress to understand
WHO is for “The White Man”
and who is on “the Negro
side.”
The strong encouragement
for awareness on learning
whose political agenda is for
negro suffrage is the
emphasis of this visual
message.

14. Union
Confidence
In this satirical cartoon,
Union commander
Winfield Scott awaits
for Confederate
President Jeff Davis to
crawl out of his “hole”
(in this case, Richmond,
Virginia). All the while,
he’s stepping on the
two fox tails, each fox
representing
Confederate generals
Beauregard and Pillow.

15. Buffooned
“Leaders”
During the Civil War, all
Copperheads were called
Democrats, but not all
Democrats were
Copperheads.
In this poster, “leaders of
the Democratic party” are
depicted in ridiculous
caricature and sarcastic
descriptions poking fun at
those figures’ personalities
and reputations.

16. “Jeff in
Petticoats”
It is believed Davis fled
Richmond and escaped
Union capture dressed
in his wife’s petticoat.
As a result, he
eventually became the
subject of more ridicule
at the hands of
illustrators who mocked
his cowardly deed.

17. The Petticoat
Sequel
Here’s another visual
take on the imminent
capture and subsequent
escape of Confederate
President Jeff Davis,
dressed as a woman to
evade Union soldiers.

18. Conclusion
Illustration during the Civil War was key in helping to reinforce each
side’s opposing views and opinions.
The many sketches and drawings, with their infused wit and biting satire, helped to influence
minds and shape hearts during one of America’s most bloodiest eras in history.

19. About this presentation
This presentation was researched,
assembled, and written by
MFA of Illustration graduate student
Mayra Ruiz-McPherson.
Background
Mayra has 20+ years digital marketing,
advertising, creative direction, and
communications experience. As a Sr. Digital
Strategist and independent marketing
consultant. Mayra works with clients, brands,
agencies, and organizations to transform all
aspects of their digital business initiatives.
Academic Journey
Mayra is concurrently pursuing an Illustration
MFA through the Academy of Arts University
as well as a second master’s degree in Media
Psychology via Fielding Graduate University.
Mayra
Ruiz-McPherson
Sr. Digital &
Creative
Strategist

20. Digital Transformation
Search | Social | Mobile
Transmedia Storytelling
Pictorial Strategy
Ideation & Theming
Digital Illustration
Visual Essays
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Branding & Identity
703.798.2619 | @TheDStrategist
mayra@ruizmcpherson.com
ruizmcpherson.com