This cartoon shows the thirteen states as pillars that hold america together.

This cartoon shows the thirteen states as pillars that hold america together.

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  • Title: The federal pillars
  • Date Created/Published: 1788.
  • Medium: 3 prints : woodcut.
  • Summary: A series of prints published over several months showing columns, each labeled after a state, being placed upright by a hand extending from a cloud. The first print, published January 16, 1788, labeled "United they stand - divided fall" shows the Massachusetts column being added to those of Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. In the June 11th 1788 issue, the print, labeled "Redeunt Saturnia Regna" shows the Maryland and South Carolina columns in place and the Virginia column being put into position, with the New Hampshire column reclining on the right. On August 2nd 1788 the final print appeared, the New Hampshire column has been placed ahead of the Virginia column, the New York column is in place, and the hand is placing the North Carolina column into position; to the right is a crumbling Rhode Island column next to the notation, "The foundation good - it may yet be SAVED."
  • Reproduction Number: LC-USZ62-45589 (b&w film copy neg. of Jan. 16, 1788) LC-USZ62-45590 (b&w film copy neg. of June 11, 1788) LC-USZ62-45591 (b&w film copy neg. of August 2, 1788)
  • Rights Advisory: No known restrictions on publication.
  • Call Number: Illus. in Newspaper [Newspaper & Current Periodical RR]
  • Repository: Library of Congress Serial and Government Publications Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA
  • Notes:
    • Title from item.
    • Illus. in: The Massachusetts Centinel, 1788 January 16, June 11, and August 2.
    • Published in: The American Revolution in drawings and prints; a checklist of 1765-1790 graphics in the Library of Congress / Compiled by Donald H. Cresswell, with a foreword by Sinclair H. Hitchings. Washington : [For sale by the Supt. of Docs., U.S. Govt. Print. Off.], 1975, no. 894a-c.
  • Subjects:
    • Columns--1780-1790.
    • Newspapers--Massachusetts--Boston--1780-1790.
    • United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783.
  • Format:
    • Periodical illustrations--1780-1790.
    • Woodcuts--1780-1790.
  • Collections:
    • Miscellaneous Items in High Demand
  • Bookmark This Record:
       https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2004676796/

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  • Rights Advisory: No known restrictions on publication.
  • Reproduction Number: LC-USZ62-45589 (b&w film copy neg. of Jan. 16, 1788) LC-USZ62-45590 (b&w film copy neg. of June 11, 1788) LC-USZ62-45591 (b&w film copy neg. of August 2, 1788)
  • Call Number: Illus. in Newspaper [Newspaper & Current Periodical RR]
  • Medium: 3 prints : woodcut.

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  • Call Number: Illus. in Newspaper [Newspaper & Current Periodical RR]
  • Medium: 3 prints : woodcut.

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What is the cartoons message about ratification?

This cartoon shows the thirteen states as pillars that hold America together. What is the cartoon's message about ratification? The country will not survive unless all thirteen states ratify the Constitution.

Why are the states represented by pillars in a foundation?

The pillars represent the order that the states, moving from left to right in the illustrations, ratified the Constitution.

What is the eleventh pillar of the Great National Dome that the cartoon refers to?

The Erection of the Eleventh Pillar (Courtesy of the Library of Congress) This image, representing each state that ratified the Constitution as a new pillar supporting a building, served to convey to the people the vision of a solidly built foundation for the new government.

How many of the 13 states ratified the Constitution?

The process set out in the Constitution for its ratification provided for much popular debate in the States. The Constitution would take effect once it had been ratified by nine of the thirteen State legislatures; unanimity was not required.