Lincoln and Santa Claus

[Anita]

   

Detail from Thomas Nast’s illustration “A Christmas Furlough” for the front page of a 1863 issue of Harper’s Weekly.
- See more at: http://publicdomainreview.org/2012/12/13...zjve4.dpuf

"In 1863 Lincoln asked Nast to create a drawing of Santa with some union soldiers. The resulting image had a demoralizing influence on the Confederate army. Santa had joined the enemy showing Santa was on the side of Gen. Grant in the North. ... In the South by 1863 the North had blockaded their ports. The South explained to their children that even Santa couldn't get through the blockade." http://books.google.com/books?id=ePQaphs...hgvIpfj7ow

"Nast was not the only one to use Christmas as a propaganda tool. On the Union side, The New York Herald also engaged in propaganda. One illustration published in the paper included Santa Claus fuming that he could not reach southern children, due to the northern blockade. On the Confederate side, The Richmond Examiner described Santa to its young readers as "a Dutch toy monger" who was a New York/New England "scrub" and Hottentot that had nothing to do with traditional Virginian celebrations of Christmas." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_i..._Civil_War

[Eva Elisabeth]

(12-02-2013 06:02 PM)Anita Wrote:  "The Richmond Examiner described Santa to its young readers as "a Dutch toy monger" who was a New York/New England "scrub" and Hottentot.

The writer from the Richmond Examiner was right that the Dutch brought Santa Claus to America, but he was pretty bad at geography calling S.C. a "Hottentot".

"Hottentot" was the Dutch word for all native South Africans when the Dutch settled in the Cape region during the 18th century.

Nikolaos of Myra, was a historic 4th-century saint and Greek Bishop of Myra (Demre, part of modern-day Turkey) in Lycia. He was born on March15, 270 in Patara, Lycia, and died on Dec. 6, 343 (aged 73) in Myra. Nikolaos, or Nicholas, had a reputation for generosity and kindness, for secret gift-giving, such as putting coins in the shoes of those who left them out for him, and for performing miracles for the poor and unhappy.

In the Middle Ages, devotion to Nicholas extended throughout Europe. He became the patron saint of Russia and Greece; of children, sailors, unmarried girls, etc.; and of the cities Fribourg (Switzerland), and Moscow. Thousands of European churches were dedicated to him (in "my" city, two, one of them built in 1242). His legend was united with old Nordic folktales of a magician who punished naughty children and rewarded good children with gifts.Dutch colonists took this tradition with them to New Amsterdam (NYC) in the 17th century, and Sinterklaas (the Dutch name) soon became Santa Claus.

In Germany, the Netherlands, and other countries, this Friday (the anniversary of his death and his name day), Saint Nicholas will put sweets, nuts and oranges into good children's boots waiting on the doormats.
   
Russian icon of St Nicholas with scenes from his life. Late 1400s or early 1500s. National Museum, Stockholm.

Here's some more about Thomas Nast's and others' influence on Santa Claus: http://www.the-north-pole.com/history/

[L Verge]

For nearly twenty years, Surratt House has featured Civil War Santa as part of their Christmas open house festivities. Santa is really Kevin Rawlings, who travels up and down the East Coast during the holidays dressed as Thomas Nast's character with red-and-white trousers, a fur-trimmed jacket of blue with white stars, and a red fez cap.

In addition to talking with the children, Kevin has a room all to himself where he displays and teaches about the various forms of "gift givers" that have appeared throughout Western history. And, he stays in first-person the whole time. He is a hit with everyone, and we have even had ladies in their 70s and 80s sit on his lap and ask for presents - including one who wanted a Mercedes. His response was, "Is that the name of a reindeer?"

This year, however, Civil War Santa goofed and is now spending time in Libby Prison (at least that's our story!). He had the audacity to overbook the day and will be going to another Civil War site. We will resort back to the early-Victorian era and feature Father Christmas instead.

[Eva Elisabeth]

(12-03-2013 09:07 AM)L Verge Wrote:  We will resort back to the early-Victorian era and feature Father Christmas instead.

Will your Father Christmas have a red or a green suit?

[L Verge]

Ours will be in a long, flowing, red robe with attached hood and white fur trim. If I had it to do over again, I would make the robe green - just to confuse the public even more.

[RJNorton]

Thank you to Laurie for sending this image. She writes, "This is a photo of Kevin Rawlings portraying Mr. Nast’s creation at Surratt House in a past year. Unfortunately, this does not show his wonderful red-and-white striped trousers."

[BettyO]

I have been a friend of Mr. Rawlings for years. He used to do Civil War reenactments with the unit with which I was associated years ago.

This is an unusual 1864 Harper's image which I found and includes Lincoln but not Santa -

[Eva Elisabeth]

Thanks, Betty! That looks great with all the details!

[Anita]

Laurie, Thanks for the post on Mr. Rawlings a.k.a. Santa. I'm still laughing about "...and we have even had ladies in their 70s and 80s sit on his lap and ask for presents - including one who wanted a Mercedes. His response was, "Is that the name of a reindeer?" I will use this on my 17 yr. old grandson who wants a car for Xmas.

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Betty, Great Nast Lincoln image. I was glad to see the guard at the door.

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(12-02-2013 07:44 PM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote:  [quote='Anita' pid='27479' dateline='1386025374']
"The Richmond Examiner described Santa to its young readers as "a Dutch toy monger" who was a New York/New England "scrub" and Hottentot.

The writer from the Richmond Examiner was right that the Dutch brought Santa Claus to America, but he was pretty bad at geography calling S.C. a "Hottentot".

"Hottentot" was the Dutch word for all native South Africans when the Dutch settled in the Cape region during the 18th century.


Eva, I didn't know why they used the term ""Hottentot". Thanks for defining it. It makes perfect sense. They were calling him a Black Santa.
I'd say the South was pretty angry over the North stealing Santa.

[Linda Anderson]

"Why the Dutch Love 'Black Pete.'"

"Sinterklaas arrives from Spain by steamboat in late November, travels farther on horseback, climbs onto roofs and on Dec. 5, known as “Pakjesavond,” drops presents through the chimney with the help of the Black Petes, a crew of dark-skinned helpers wearing large earrings who cavort and entertain and, as Dutch parents often tell their children, owe their blackness to chimney soot...

"But just as the defense of traditions has grown stronger, so has the criticism that Black Pete is a racist holdover from the Netherlands’s colonial past. In January the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights sent a letter to the Dutch government stating that Black Pete perpetuated the image of people of African descent as second-class citizens and constituted a 'living trace of past slavery.'

"The Dutch government responded by saying that it regarded the Sinterklaas tradition as a children’s celebration, that it was aware of the differences of opinion concerning Black Pete, but that it was highly committed to combating discrimination in all forms."

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/05/opinio...ef=opinion

[Anita]

(12-05-2013 08:04 AM)Linda Anderson Wrote:  "Why the Dutch Love 'Black Pete.'"

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/05/opinio...ef=opinion

Thanks Linda-zeer informatief artikel.

[LincolnMan]

Not surprizing that Santa would be used as a propaganda tool. Yet, we know that Santa brings gifts to all the world, regardless of political affiliation, etc. i don't think Santa cared if anyone was Union or Confederate. Also, his sleigh was able to fly above the Union blockade-so that wouldn't have stopped him.