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Visualizing American Identity

The Providential Detection

Eye of God watching over America

American Eagle

taking Constitution away from Jefferson

'Radical'

French

philosophies under Satan in which Jefferson adores

DroppingOffensive Letter to Mazzel

     The Providential Detection is an image made between 1796 and 1800, by an unknown artist. This image was meant as propaganda to spread awareness about the evil, Anti-Federalist behavior that Jefferson's true intentions were supposed to be once he had the power. In plain sight, even without knowing the author, this image is clearly meant to be against Jefferson's ideologies or a Federalist point of view. The intended audience is to the voters of the U.S. in the election of 1800, due to the image's creation date and its context.

     The message of this image is quite clear. No matter what hardship or tragedy our country faces, America will never succumb to such an eerieness or evil that would ever plague our Constitution. Also, it is our job as Americans to have a strong overwatch on who should and should not lead our country, and how to prevent havoc and disorder.

Making Connections

     It is quite obvious that America is one of the most adaptable countries throughout all of history within its culture and even its moral of what an American is. However, even throughout these countless changes, each change is made aware of the whole country. When the message is viewed at more closely, there is quite a bold connection. Even if this image intended to promote the Federalist, the more applicable approach indirectly spoken is that America decides and approves the change, not a specialized party.  

References

Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “United States Presidential Election of 1800.” Encyclopædia  Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 20 Oct. 2016, www.britannica.com/event/United-States-presidential-election-of-1800.

Gawalt, Gerald. “Thomas Jefferson Establishing A Federal Republic.” Library of Congress, Library of Congress, 24 Apr. 2000, www.loc.gov/exhibits/jefferson/jefffed.html.

Green, John, et al. Where US Politics Came From: Crash Course US History #9. YouTube, CrashCourse, 4 Apr. 2013, www.youtube.com/watch?v=r161cLYzuDI&index=9&list=PL8dPuuaLjXtMwmepBjTSG593eG7ObzO7s.

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