capitalism – Vulgar Army

Not Even-Handed Justice

“NOT EVEN-HANDED JUSTICE: Crushing the scorpion of anarchy but sparing the octopus of monopoly”, Artist William A. Rogers, published in Harper’s Weekly, January 21, 1888. (Snark: Seems kind of apt, given the Occupy movement and response to it. Some things don’t change.) Image source: Railroad Cartoons Home, http://sophia.smith.edu/~maldrich/topics/political_influence/1888harpersjan21.htm (accessed 12-11-2011)

Union-busting

“Union-busting, 1950s (or early 1960s)” [VA: I have no words] [VA: I’ve lost who submitted this, I thought the information would be ‘stuck’ to the post, but apparently I was wrong. If it was you, and you want your name/website associated, please contact me via “Ask” button.]

De Groote Olie Octopus

Book cover for “De groote Olie octopus, door Truth onderzocht” (The Great Oil Octopus by Truth Examined)‎. ‎Amsterdam, L.J. Veen. Conflicting dates: first published 1910, reprinted 1925? Dutch Anti-trust/Anti-capitalism criticising oil companies including Esso and Rockefeller. References: Antiqbook, http://www.antiqbook.nl/boox/vvliet/12028.shtml Image Source: International Institute of Social History, Collection: IISG, Call # BG C12/589. (Accessed: 23rd Oct, 2010)

“A Horrible Monster”, published in Daily Graphic, July 19th, 1880, New York. (This has been on Vulgar Army previously; this is a clearer, more detailed from Super I.T.C.H.) Cartoon criticising ‘the pollution of New York’s air by the Standard Oil plant at Hunters Point, New York. The caption reads “A Horrible Monster, whose tentacles spread poverty, disease, […]

“The Standard Oil Octopus”, Daily Graphic, Tues 4th Feb 1879, New York. Vol LXVIII, No.1. Octopus constructed of pipes and barrels, and capitalist harpies in a wasteland. Very early (1879) octopus political cartoon. “$10,000,000 Profits in 4 Months.” “Railroad monopolist & stock market manipulator William Vanderbilt is the top right vulture flying overhead. The other two vultures, are brothers William (left) […]

The Seattle star. (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, November 06, 1905, Night Edition Arm Labels: Electric Power, Suburban Freight Trains, Electric Light, Politics, Real Estate, Street Car Lines, Wood Yards, Renton Coal Mines Octopus: Puget Sound National Bank A CALL TO ARMS Like a Mighty Octopus, Sucking Life-Blood From the City Are the people of Seattle under the […]

Cartoon by Pashtanika circa 1919. “Lavoratori! Diamo ancor forza al braccio!” (Arm reference to human arm, not any of the octopuses). Octopus is ‘Capitalism’, its arms are ‘poverty’, prostitution’, ‘war’, ‘child labor’ and ‘wage slavery’. Label on human arm refers to Industrial Workers of the World (I.W.W). The note at the bottom says: “Il Proletario, an […]

Cartoon by Peter Schrank, published in the ‘Independent on Sunday’, on the 23rd Mar 1997. More sleazy tentacles in the ’Cash for Questions’ affair. Image Source: The British Cartoon Archive – University of Kent

“Sleaze"by Peter Schrank, Published in ‘The Independent’ on the 7th Oct 1996. Relates to the ‘Cash for Questions’ Affair. See also: David Brown cartoon. Image Source: The British Cartoon Archive – University of Kent

The cartoon by Dave Brown was published in the Sunday Times on the 6th Oct 1996, at the end of the “Cash for Questions” affair. The people illustrated are1: Ian Greer (the Octopus), David Linsay Willetts (left of octopus), Mohamed Al-Fayed (right of octopus, entangled in tentacle), Former British PM John Major (right of octopus – glasses, entangled in tentacle), and Neil […]