Acknowledgement to Gary Brown for making me wonder...
The donkey and the elephant have been the long-serving animal mascots of the United States’ two major political parties, the Democratic Party and the Republican Party, respectively.
But how did these animals become such iconic symbols of American democracy?
The Democratic Party’s Donkey
The Democratic Party’s donkey mascot emerged in 1828 as a kind of insult towards the famously stubborn Democrat Andrew Jackson. Jackson was called a “jackass” due to his strong will and stubbornness. However, he kind of liked it and adopted “Jackass Jackson” as a nickname. It wasn’t long before the donkey became established as the symbol of the Democratic Party.
The Republican Party’s Elephant
The Republican Party’s elephant mascot came along years later. The Republican Party wasn’t founded until 1854 in Ripon, Wisconsin. The idea of the elephant was actually discussed at that time, but the image didn’t really come about until the 1870s. Thomas Nast, a famous American political cartoonist, is credited with creating the first and lasting versions of both animal mascots.
Thomas Nast’s Role
Nast’s cartoons played a significant role in popularizing the donkey and elephant symbols. He used the donkey to represent the Democratic Party, while the elephant symbolized the Republican Party. Nast’s cartoons were widely circulated, and the images became deeply ingrained in American politics.
The Elephant’s Rise to Prominence
The elephant rose to prominence thanks, in part, to a widely used expression during the Civil War led by President Abraham Lincoln, a Republican. Soldiers entering battle were said to be “seeing the elephant.” This phrase was often used to describe the intense and chaotic nature of battle. Nast’s cartoons further solidified the elephant’s association with the Republican Party.
Conclusion
In summary, the Democratic Party’s donkey mascot originated as a nickname for Andrew Jackson, while the Republican Party’s elephant mascot emerged in the 1870s through the work of Thomas Nast. Both symbols have remained iconic representations of their respective parties to this day.