Political Cartoon #2- "Rise it Will"

1. Interpret the cartoon. What historical event/issue is being represented?
This political cartoon appeared in the Massachusetts on August 2, 1788 and was depicting the how the states of America were agreeing to the signing of the Constitution. This would give America the government it needed to succeed as the basis of it was that both the state and federal government would have equal power rather that the complete control of the federal government under the rule of the king and the unanimous power the states had under the Articles of Confederation. The initial pillar represents Delaware being the first to ratify the Constitution when they did it on December 7, 1787 as the rest of the states followed suit.

2. What is the message that the cartoonist is trying to convey? Which side of the issue does he support?

The cartoonist is trying to convey his frustration he has that North Carolina and Rhode Island are dragging they’re feet as if that had cement shoes on in approving the signing of the Constitution. This is due to the fact that the author was from Massachusetts since it was in the Massachusetts Centinal and Massachusetts was in favor of the Constitution since it was the sixth state to ratify the document. Also the author is showing the aggravation since he depicts the Rhode Island’s pillar in an abysmal state. On the other hand he is showing faith in North Carolina as that pillar is starting to be upright with the other states. The reason behind the lack of enthusiasm Rhode Island showed in the constitution was that the states would have less power than they did under the Articles of Confederation; instead of every state having equal say it would become based on population of the state, not favoring Rhode Island.

3. What effect(s) did this cartoon have on American History? What were the results of this issue being addressed?

The effect of the cartoon was that it showed those in Rhode Island the almost unanimous feeling in favor of the Constitution and that they should join as well. This was a triumphant cartoon applying pressure on Rhode Island and North Carolina to ratify the document to create a foundation to the better organization o governing the country as the title “The Federal Edifice” implies. The cartoon must have had some success as Rhode Island ratified the constitution on May 29, 1790.