The Providential Detection
Omri Susan
The bald eagle is representing america, and it is attempting to stop Thomas Jefferson from destroying the constitution.
God is Looking over at Jefferson attempting to destroy the constitution and doesn't seem pleased
Benjamin Franklin is shown holding the word "mozzel", connected to the french word referencing a loved one (particularly female), as an assumption to love for France
Historical Contex
Due to Piracy issues in the Barbary coast in North Africa, tensions rised between a higly religious America and a Muslim area. This lead to the Treaty of Tripoli, a seemingly harmless "lets drop the whole religious argument and be friends" message to the Barbers, but instead, it sparked political debate tue to one line "As the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion," . Many angered by the belief that this is against the consitutions foundation on Christianity, others arguing it is free speech. This combined with a failed treaty which lead to war caused controversy, creating divide. The constitution was a majorly debated document during this debate, the new idea of a religiously nutral state, to seperate church and state.
Meaning behind the art
The art is showing Thomas Jefferson burning documents, but before he gets to the constitution, god stops him. In his hand is a paper, named mozzel, revealing ties with other countries. This leads to the argument of time, if separating church and state was okay, but this photo shows that God attempts to prevent that separation. This was a commentary on the issue, while also saying that those who did not agree were anti-christianity. IT is representing how America is forgetting its past and loosing its connection with God.
Mount, Steve, Treaty Between the United States and Tripoli, US Constitution, 2010, https://www.usconstitution.ne
t/tripoli.htm, accessed 5 September 2018
Sources
Wallbuilders, Treaty of Tripoli, 2016, https://wallbuilders.com
/treaty-of-tripoli/# accessed 5 September 2018