"Thomas Nast’s first opportunity to influence American sentiment came with the Civil War. His commentary on that struggle is an evocative record of its development into a contest between opposing ideologies. At the same time, his work contributed largely to the appearance of a Northern sentiment that made the preservation of the Union and the end of slavery inseparable causes" (Keller 11). As expected, Nast was a ferocious supporter of the Union and his drawings depicted this to no end. It was also during this time that Nast was able to really achieve strong credibility in the world of political cartoonists. The popularity of many drawings attests to this credibility but one in particular stands out. Published in Harper’s Weekly on September 3, 1864 the drawing entitled "Compromise with the South" is deemed to have brought Nast instant fame. The drawing shows "…Columbia weeping at the grave of 'Union Heroes in a Useless War' " as a weary Union amputee shakes the hand of a neatly groomed Southern soldier" (www.lib.ohio-state.edu).

It is my opinion that the popularity for these Civil War era drawings came about on many fronts and for many reasons. As stated, Nast was beautifully talented as an artist. However, these drawings evoke emotion, for they tell a story. In most of them there isn’t just one thing going on. There is a central figure or picture with words and other drawings and stories surrounding it. This technique makes it an easy scene to follow while also giving the "reader" a good amount of information without being overbearing. Because of this technique, Nast’s drawings could reach a wide demographic and people of all educational backgrounds could discern something of his meanings.

Though Nast had success in the publishing of his Christmas book, by 1890 he was not in a healthy place mentally or professionally. Having left Harper’s Weekly in 1886, Nast saw a decline in his work and his inspiration that left him depressed. Desperate for work, Nast attempted to try his hand in oil paintings, most of which depicted recent American history. Unsuccessful in this, he accepted a position in Ecuador appointed by President Theodore Roosevelt and died soon after.

The drawings and cartoons of Thomas Nast were dynamically influential and important in his day and continue to be so in the present. Nast was talented as an artist, had quite an imagination and a fierce political head about him. Without Nast’s work, American history much would be different today. There may never be a more significant cartoonist.