Take my advice, neighbors... hold on to your vote!

Figures in colonial costume labelled 'Virginia' and 'Maryland' look puzzled, with question marks over their heads, holding a sheet reading 'Truman Plan to expand Capital into nearby counties'. A figure labelled 'D.C.' raises a finger and says 'Take my advice, neighbors... hold on to your vote!'. The cartoon argues that absorbing the surrounding counties into the capital would cost their residents their votes; fear-appeal is a weak fit.

Propaganda techniques used in this cartoon

Fear appeal

Date

September 1, 1950

Period

Cold War

Made by

Washington Evening Star (cartoonist Jim Berryman)

Region

North America

Country

United States

Medium

Cartoon

Issuer type

Media

Regime

Truman Administration

Leader

Harry S. Truman

Audience

Domestic public

Purpose

Persuade or win support

Theme

Elections and party politics

Source

Identified Openly sourced: the speaker is who they say they are

Source

U.S. National Archives (NARA), Records of the U.S. Senate, Jim Berryman Political Cartoons (NAID 5730852), retrieved October 3, 2026

Rights

Public domain (U.S. government work)
Jim Berryman, Washington Evening Star. National Archives and Records Administration, Records of the U.S. Senate, 5743148 (NAID 5743148).

TAKE MY ADVICE, NEIGHBORS.... HOLD ON TO YOUR VOTE!
D.C.
VIRGINIA
MARYLAND
TRUMAN PLAN To EXPAND CAPITAL INTO NEARBY COUNTIES.
Jim Berryman (signature)