The "Third Term" Trap
Thomas Nast, 27 Sep 1840 - 7 Dec 1902
June 26, 1875
Medium
Classification
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
Accession Number
S/NPG.76.16
Tags
US CapitolPoliticalTop hatImaginaryJohn Frederick Hartranft: MaleUnion ArmyMedal of HonorPennsylvaniaElephantNewspaper
About this artwork
In spite of the controversies of fraud and graft that buffeted Grantâs presidency, he remained popular with voters in the North, who were confident in his innate decency. Nevertheless, Grant was weary of his executive duties, and he began looking forward to the end of his second term. Amidst the calls for him to seek an unprecedented third term, there were critics who were calling such an idea âCaesarism.â Thomas Nast caricatured Grantâs situation in this cartoon. Here, Governor John Har...