Somewhere in France
6/28/1917
Add to Favorites:
Add all page(s) of this document to activity:
This cartoon shows an American soldier greeting Marianne, the personification of France and symbol of liberty. In the background the spirit of the Marquis de Lafayette looks on in approval.
The cartoonist's use of the Revolutionary War hero in this image echoed the sentiment felt by the American public when a French delegation that included Lafayette’s grandson participated in ceremonies in several cities commemorating America’s historic alliance with France. He referred to Lafayette in several cartoons promoting American military support of France between 1917 and 1945, often featuring the phrase, “Lafayette we are here.” The quote originated a few weeks after this cartoon appeared. Often associated with General John J. Pershing, it was used in a July 4, 1917 speech at Lafayette’s tomb by Pershing’s aide, Charles E. Stanton. Through his reference to Lafayette, the cartoonist suggests that assisting France is not a “foreign entanglement” to be avoided, but rather America’s duty to a loyal friend.
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.
The cartoonist's use of the Revolutionary War hero in this image echoed the sentiment felt by the American public when a French delegation that included Lafayette’s grandson participated in ceremonies in several cities commemorating America’s historic alliance with France. He referred to Lafayette in several cartoons promoting American military support of France between 1917 and 1945, often featuring the phrase, “Lafayette we are here.” The quote originated a few weeks after this cartoon appeared. Often associated with General John J. Pershing, it was used in a July 4, 1917 speech at Lafayette’s tomb by Pershing’s aide, Charles E. Stanton. Through his reference to Lafayette, the cartoonist suggests that assisting France is not a “foreign entanglement” to be avoided, but rather America’s duty to a loyal friend.
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 .
National Archives Identifier: 6011253
Full Citation: Cartoon P-047; Somewhere in France; 6/28/1917; Berryman Political Cartoon Collection, 1896-1949; Records of the U.S. Senate , Record Group 46 ; National Archives Building, Washington DC, 20408. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/somewhere-france, April 27, 2024]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.