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Primary sourcePainting1837

The Modern Balaam and His Ass

Henry R. Robinson · 1837

An 1837 cartoon using a Biblical story to satirize Jackson handing his troubles to Van Buren at the start of the Panic of 1837.

Van Buren is shown walking behind Jackson, depicted as his chosen successor who will continue his policies.

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Hand-colored political cartoon titled 'The Modern Balaam and His Ass'. Andrew Jackson, in a tall hat, rides a dark donkey labeled with specie circular and 'Medium' on its saddlebag, whipping it with a stick. A ghostly gaunt female figure holds a banner reading 'Protest & Safety' and a scroll listing bankrupts. A man in a suit walks past a building with signs for Phoenix Bank, Bank of New York, Manhattan Bank, and Bank of America, holding a hat. Donkey's speech bubbles and a 'Jackson Address' sign appear. Caption below reads 'The Modern Balaam and His Ass'.
Published by Henry R. Robinson, The Modern Balaam and His Ass, 1837. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.

About this source

What it is

This is an 1837 hand-colored political cartoon published by Henry R. Robinson, held by the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. It shows Andrew Jackson riding a talking donkey, with Martin Van Buren walking behind.

Why it matters

The cartoon uses the Biblical story of Balaam and his talking donkey to mock the end of Jackson's presidency and the economic troubles of the Panic of 1837, including bank failures and disputes over paper money versus coin. Van Buren is shown following in Jackson's footsteps, suggesting he would continue, and inherit the consequences of, Jackson's policies.

Look closer

  • Why might the artist have chosen the Balaam story to make this political point?
  • What does Van Buren's speech bubble about following in his predecessor's footsteps suggest about how he was seen?
  • What do the labeled banks and signs in the background tell you about the economic crisis being depicted?

This painting is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Martin Van Buren on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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