Thomas Nast | Colored Rule in a Reconstructed (?) State, 1874

Thomas Nast began drawing for the popular magazine Harper’s Weekly in 1859. Nast initially used his illustrations to rouse northern public sentiment for the plight of blacks in the South after the Civil War. By 1874, however, many Northerners had become disillusioned with federal efforts to enforce Reconstruction. Like them, Nash accepted the white southern point of view that “Black Reconstruction” was a recipe for corruption and immorality. Note the figure of Columbia (at the top right), who represents the nation, chastising black lawmakers with a switch. Nast highlights Columbia’s message in the caption: “You are Aping the lowest Whites. If you disgrace your Race in this way you had better take Back Seats.”