Dropping the Pilot

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Dropping the Pilot. Cartoon by Sir John Tenniel (1820-1914), first published in the British magazine Punch, 29 March 1890 1890 Bismarcks Ruecktritt.jpg
Dropping the Pilot. Cartoon by Sir John Tenniel (1820–1914), first published in the British magazine Punch , 29 March 1890

Dropping the Pilot is a political cartoon by Sir John Tenniel, first published in the British magazine Punch on 29 March 1890. [1] It depicts Chancellor Otto von Bismarck as a maritime pilot who is stepping off a ship, perhaps a reference to Plato's ship of state, [1] idly and unconcernedly watched by a young Wilhelm II, German Emperor. Bismarck had resigned as Chancellor at Wilhelm's demand just ten days earlier on 19 March [2] [3] because of political differences.

Contents

After the cartoon's publication, Tenniel received a commission from the 5th Earl of Rosebery to create a copy to be sent to Bismarck himself. The former chancellor reportedly replied, "It is indeed a fine one". [4]

The cartoon is well known in Germany and often used in history textbooks and school books, under the title The Pilot Leaves the Ship (German : Der Lotse geht von Bord). [1]

Adaptations

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Dropping the Pilot (1890)". Wilhelmine Germany and the First World War (1890-1918). German History in Documents and Images (GHDI). Retrieved 1 March 2014. "Here, we see a weary Bismarck descending the ladder of the 'ship' Germany, which he had steered for almost 20 years as chancellor. A young Wilhelm II looks on from the deck".
  2. The Times, London: Times Newspapers Ltd., 19 March 1890.
  3. The New York Times, New York: The New York Times Company, 19 March 1890.
  4. Engen, Rodney K. Sir John Tenniel: Alice's White Knight, Aldershot, Hants, England: Scolar Press, 1991, 140–142.
  5. Low, David. "Dropping the Pilot". politicalcartoon.co.uk. Archived from the original on 14 May 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2010.
  6. http://www.wepsite.de/Dropping_the_PilotChurchill4a450pix.jpg
  7. Bishop, Daniel. "Dropping the Pilot". Library of Congress . Retrieved 8 July 2010.
  8. https://ssl.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I00000.qEXKvoTbs/s/900/720/John-Tenniel-Cartoons-Punch-Magazine-1957-07-10-31.jpg
  9. https://i.pinimg.com/originals/d2/04/53/d204531bed50d13797f457f6a58d04ad.jpg
  10. http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000LI_5k4pQSCw/s/900/720/Cartoons-Punch-Margaret-Thatcher-11.jpg
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