Reporting for Duty
4/2/1917
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The Constitution vests in Congress—the representative branch—exclusive power to declare war. Congress’s war power also illustrates the separate powers and responsibilities of Congress and the President. As Commander in Chief of the armed forces, the President implements and is bound by the goals, means, and limitations Congress specifies in the declaration of war.
In this cartoon, the House and Senate salute Uncle Sam as they report for duty. It was published on the day the 65th Congress met to hear President Woodrow Wilson’s war message. Papers on the desk refer to the German policy of unrestricted submarine warfare that prompted Wilson’s message.
Events had unfolded quickly in the weeks leading up to Congress’ return. Germany had declared open war at sea on February 1, and Wilson had responded in March by arming U.S. merchant ships. In his war message to Congress, Wilson argued for America to fight against Germany for free seas and a “world made safe for democracy.”
This cartoon was drawn by Clifford Berryman, one of Washington, DC's best-known cartoonists in the early to mid-1900s. Berryman drew for the Washington Post and Evening Star newspapers. His cartoons touched on a variety of subjects including politics, elections, and both World Wars.
This cartoon is featured in America and the World: Foreign Affairs in Political Cartoons, 1898–1940, a free PDF book from the Center for Legislative Archives at the National Archives.
In this cartoon, the House and Senate salute Uncle Sam as they report for duty. It was published on the day the 65th Congress met to hear President Woodrow Wilson’s war message. Papers on the desk refer to the German policy of unrestricted submarine warfare that prompted Wilson’s message.
Events had unfolded quickly in the weeks leading up to Congress’ return. Germany had declared open war at sea on February 1, and Wilson had responded in March by arming U.S. merchant ships. In his war message to Congress, Wilson argued for America to fight against Germany for free seas and a “world made safe for democracy.”
This cartoon was drawn by Clifford Berryman, one of Washington, DC's best-known cartoonists in the early to mid-1900s. Berryman drew for the Washington Post and Evening Star newspapers. His cartoons touched on a variety of subjects including politics, elections, and both World Wars.
This cartoon is featured in America and the World: Foreign Affairs in Political Cartoons, 1898–1940, a free PDF book from the Center for Legislative Archives at the National Archives.
This primary source comes from the Records of the U.S. Senate, 1789 - 2015.
National Archives Identifier: 6011220
Full Citation: C-064; Reporting for Duty; 4/2/1917; Berryman Political Cartoon Collection, 1896 - 1949; Records of the U.S. Senate, 1789 - 2015, Record Group 46; National Archives Building, Washington, DC. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/reporting-for-duty, April 20, 2024]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.