How Did The Donkey and Elephant Become Political Symbols

The donkey and elephant became political symbols in the United States through a combination of political satire and popular culture, primarily driven by cartoonists in the 19th century.

Here's how each symbol came to be associated with the Democratic and Republican parties:

The Donkey (Democratic Party)

• Origins: The donkey first became associated with the Democratic Party during Andrew Jackson's presidential campaign in 1828. Jackson's opponents labeled him a "jackass" (a term for a donkey), intended as an insult. However, Jackson embraced the symbol, using it to represent his stubbornness and determination. The image stuck, and the donkey began to be associated with the Democratic Party.

• Popularization: The symbol of the donkey was further popularized by the famous political cartoonist Thomas Nast in the 1870s. Nast used the donkey in a series of cartoons to represent the Democratic Party. One of the most famous cartoons by Nast was published in 1874 in Harper's Weekly, where he depicted a donkey in a lion's skin, scaring away other animals, symbolizing the Democrats attempting to intimidate their opponents.

The Elephant (Republican Party)

• Origins: The elephant became associated with the Republican Party also thanks to Thomas Nast. In the same 1874 cartoon mentioned above, Nast depicted an elephant labeled "The Republican Vote" being frightened by the donkey in the lion's skin. The elephant symbolized the Republican vote being large and powerful but also vulnerable to being frightened or misled.

• Popularization: Nast continued to use the elephant as a symbol for the Republican Party in subsequent cartoons, and the association became widely accepted. Over time, the elephant came to represent the Republican Party's strength, dignity, and intelligence.