Same story, different day

Some cool population images from 100+ years ago

Happy holidays to all! I have been spending time with family these last few weeks and enjoying some quiet. I hope the same for you.

Before the year ends, I wanted to share some amazing images I uncovered while doing research at the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs reading room earlier this month. My next solo-authored book looks at US history through a population lens, and this is the first time I’ve been able to share some of that research in the newsletter, but much more is to come as I start drafting chapters in the new year. As I’m sure you can imagine, I’m plowing through a rich and complicated history.

Since a picture is worth 1,000 words, I’ll let you draw your own conclusions about these, other than to note that the debates of the 1800s, or 1920s, or really any other time period in US history look remarkably like those of today. Americans are constantly debating: Who are we, as a people?

1860-something - The great fear of the period. That Uncle Sam may be swallowed by foreigners. The problem solved. Published by White and Bauer 186-? San Francisco lithograph 58.8x63.8cm

1870 - Our goddess of liberty What is she to be? To what complexion are we to come at last? Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper 16 July 1870 pp. 288

1888 - Unrestricted immigration and its results—A possible curiosity of the Twentieth Century, the last Yankee. Repro in Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper Sept. 8, 1888 of pen and ink drawing by Matt Morgan

1903 - Concerning race suicide / Ehrhart. Illustration shows contrasting views of population growth, "The Idle Stork" on the left has little to do as the upper class chooses not to make babies, whereas "The Strenuous Stork" is being worked to death by a population explosion among the lower class.

1921 - Foreign-born population in the United States in 1920. Illus. for article “an alien anti-dumping bill” in The Literary Digest May 7, 1921.

1916 - The Americanese Wall, as Congressman Burnett Would Build It. Uncle Sam: You’re welcome in—if you can climb it! Rep of cartoon drawing by Raymond O. Evans in Puck, v. 79, Mar. 25, 1916, p. 10.