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The Great Unemployed, 1886. Artist: Joseph Swain
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The Great Unemployed, 1886. Artist: Joseph Swain
The Great Unemployed, 1886. The Chief Commissioner of Police, Sir E Y Henderson, sits dozing in his chair, surrounded by papers detailing the minor events recently in the news, whilst outside the window can be seen a scene of great disturbance. This cartoon illustrates a meeting which took place in Trafalgar Square of the mass unemployed. After a number of inflammatory speeches, the meeting developed into a riot after it was infiltrated by troublemakers. The police were unable to control the crowd until one enterprising officer managed to put a cordon of officers across Oxford Street. The Chief Commissioner had to bear the blame for the fiasco and shortly afterwards he resigned. From Punch, or the London Charivari, February 2, 1886
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Media ID 14831951
© The Print Collector / Heritage-Images
Asleep Disturbance Dozing Employment Heritage Image Partnership John Tenniel Joseph Swain Police Policeman Relaxed Riot Rioting Sir John Tenniel Sleep Sleeping Swain Tenniel Unemployed Unemployment
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The Great Unemployed, 1886
EDITORS COMMENTS
is a powerful and thought-provoking print that captures the social unrest and political tension of its time. Created by Joseph Swain and John Tenniel, this cartoon depicts a significant event in Trafalgar Square where mass unemployment led to rioting. In the center of the image, we see Sir E Y Henderson, the Chief Commissioner of Police, dozing off in his chair surrounded by papers detailing minor news events. Oblivious to the chaos outside his window, he symbolizes the complacency and disconnect between those in power and the struggles faced by ordinary people. Outside, a scene of great disturbance unfolds as unemployed individuals gather for a meeting that quickly escalates into a riot due to infiltrators inciting trouble. The police are depicted as overwhelmed and unable to control the crowd until one enterprising officer manages to establish order on Oxford Street. This satirical caricature highlights not only the failure of law enforcement but also criticizes societal indifference towards widespread unemployment during this period. The print serves as a reminder of how economic hardships can lead to social unrest if left unaddressed. With its monochrome black-and-white aesthetic typical of 19th-century engravings, "The Great Unemployed" offers us an insight into history while raising questions about class struggle and political responsibility that remain relevant today.
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