Forensic Research Archive of Manipulation and Exploitation
Gettysburg yesterday - the world today, 1943 US cartoon: A large figure of Abraham Lincoln stands in a cloud above a column

Gettysburg yesterday - the world today

A large figure of Abraham Lincoln stands in a cloud above a column of helmeted, rifle-carrying soldiers marching under a flag marked 'United Nations'. A quotation from the Gettysburg Address is printed at upper left. The tell is transfer: Lincoln's authority and words are lent to the Allied war effort, with 'government of the people' as the glittering generality.

Propaganda techniques used in this cartoon

TransferGlittering generalities
Date
1943
Period
Second World War
Made by
Office of War Information (cartoon artwork; artist Charles Alston)
Region
North America
Country
United States
Medium
Cartoon
Issuer type
State
Regime
Roosevelt Administration
Leader
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Audience
Domestic public
Purpose
Persuade or win support
Themes
War and the military, Elections and party politics
Event
World War II
Regime
Roosevelt administration
Leader
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Source
Identified Openly sourced: the speaker is who they say they are
Source
U.S. National Archives (NARA), RG 208, Artworks and Mockups for Cartoons Promoting the War Effort (NAID 535594), retrieved October 3, 2026
Rights
Public domain (U.S. government work)
Office of War Information. National Archives and Records Administration, RG 208, 208-COM-136 (NAID 535649).

Text on the object

Original (English) · read from the image, not independently checked

"....THAT GOVERNMENT OF
THE PEOPLE, BY THE
PEOPLE, AND FOR THE
PEOPLE, SHALL NOT
PERISH FROM THE
EARTH."

UNITED
NATIONS

Alston
OWI

"GETTYSBURG YESTERDAY ~ THE WORLD TODAY"

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