1940.10.01 “Time for Reflection”
by William Norman Ritchie (1866-1947)
13 x 17 in, ink on paper
Coppola Collection
Ritchie was known for signing his work simply as 'Norman'. On 16 July 1892, he began working at the Boston Post, where he worked for over fifty years as their political cartoonist. Before shifting his focus to politics, he was well-known for his coverage of murder trials such as the Lizzie Borden case in 1893. Throughout his lifetime, he became well versed in politics and was often approached for advice by local politicians. He was a close friend of former President Theodore Roosevelt and was acquaintances with former President Calvin Coolidge. Although many politicians were often the subject of his cartoons, many respected and admired his work at the Boston Post.
The publication of the “Blueprint Defense” report by the Nye Committee occurred on September 29, 1940. The Senate Special Committee on Investigation of the Munitions Industry (often called the Nye Committee) released a highly publicized report recommending what became known as a “blueprint for defense.” It laid out a plan to strengthen US military preparedness, proposing significant up-armament, better strategic planning, and more assertive defense posture in response to the growing menace from Axis powers.
In the cartoon, Uncle Sam, peering into the “New-Deal Mirror,” suggests that Americans were warned about the Axis threat but simultaneously cautioned not to get too bombastic, as if moralizing or fiery speeches might distract from what the Nye Committee was calling for: a practical, well-planned defense blueprint. It’s a gentle critique or caution against complacency.
