Political Cartoon of the American Civil War c. 1860s

This political cartoon of the American Civil War was created by Emanuel Leutze, an artist who lived through a period of intense national division. Leutze’s work often touches on themes of American identity and historical narrative. Here, Leutze uses allegory to address the fracturing of the Union. A female figure, presumably representing America, sits with a broken frame or tablet beside her. This could represent a shattered constitution. The figure of the South, rendered in a quasi-barbaric fashion, strides away, seemingly unconcerned with the devastation he leaves behind. The broken tools may symbolize the collapse of industry and agriculture. Leutze doesn't shy away from depicting the raw emotions of the conflict. The grief and despair embodied by the allegorical representation of America is palpable. In the wake of the Civil War, such imagery served as a powerful reminder of the urgent need for reconciliation, but also points to the irreconcilable differences between North and South. This cartoon is a reflection on the struggle to define American identity in the face of profound internal conflict.