1912 Nedeljkovich, Brashich, and Kuharich Socialist Broadside 'Tree of Evil'

Socialist Ohio Serbs attack Capitalism.

Called either 'The Tree of Evil' or 'Diseases and Crimes', this is a provocative 1912 pro-labor socialist chromolithograph broadside published in Cleveland, Ohio, by Nedeljkovich, Brashich, and Kuharich in partnership with Kuharich's extreme left-wing International Publishing Company. This is one of 3 socialist broadsides issued by Nedeljkovich, Brashich, and Kuharich, the others being Pyramid of the Capitalist System (1911), The Last Strike (1912). It is a powerful visual critique of capitalism, class inequality, and superficial reform.

A Closer Look

This broadside leverages a tree metaphor to argue that trusts, profit, and capitalist exploitation are the root causes of societal problems like disease, crime, and poverty. The tree's trunk is labeled 'Profit' and its branches' Trust,' producing poisonous fruits of 'Diseases and Crimes.' Figures like a doctor, preacher, and Teddy Roosevelt, the 'trustbuster,' are shown addressing only the symptoms - picking fruit or sawing branches - while the tree nonetheless continues to thrive. At the base, a capitalist feeds the tree with grizzly factory waste, symbolizing the exploitation of workers, women, and children as fuel for corporate profits. In contrast, a 'Socialist' worker and Karl Marx 'the educator' targets the root of 'Ignorance,' suggesting that only class-conscious education and labor solidarity can permanently uproot systemic injustice. The image powerfully conveys a socialist message: superficial reforms are futile, and only by confronting capitalism's foundations can meaningful change occur.

Historical Context

In the early 20th century, the United States was undergoing rapid industrialization, marked by the rise of powerful corporate monopolies, widespread labor exploitation, and growing income inequality. By 1912, public frustration with industrial capitalism, trusts, and social injustice had reached a boiling point, fueling support for Progressive Era reforms and radical labor movements. This period saw the emergence of organizations like the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) and the growing influence of socialist and communist thinkers who criticized capitalism as the root cause of poverty, crime, and worker oppression. The presidency of Theodore Roosevelt did introduce limited trust-busting efforts, but many activists believed these reforms were insufficient. The 'Tree of Evil' broadside reflects this climate of class tension and political activism, illustrating how superficial reforms failed to address the underlying causes of systemic inequality - while advocating for class consciousness, education, and worker-led revolution as the only path to real change.

Chromolithography

Chromolithography, sometimes called oleography, is a color lithographic technique developed in the mid-19th century. The process uses multiple lithographic stones, one for each color, to yield a rich composite effect. Generally, a chromolithograph begins with a black basecoat upon which subsequent colors are layered. Some chromolithographs used 30 or more separate lithographic stones to achieve the desired effect. Chromolithograph color can be blended for even more dramatic results. The process became extremely popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when it emerged as the dominant method of color printing. The vivid color chromolithography made it exceptionally effective for advertising and propaganda.

Publication History and Census

Published in 1912 in chromolithographic color by Nedeljkovich, Brashich, and Kuharich and the International Publishing Company. Extremely rare. We see occasional examples appearing at auction with wildly varied pricing, but no substantial market history.

Cartographers

Nedeljkovich, Brashich, and Kuharich (fl. 1911 - 1917) was a Cleveland-based publishing firm known for its radical socialist posters. Their best-known works include the Pyramid of the Capitalist System (1911), The Last Strike (1912), and the Tree of Evil (1912). The firm was associated with The firm was connected to the International Workers of the World (IWW) and the publication Industrial Worker. The individuals Nedeljkovich, Brashich, and Kuharich are more elusive. Nedeljkovich is almost certainly the Serbian immigrant John Nedeljkovich (September 28, 1872 - April 14, 1939), who was naturalized in Cleveland in 1917. In the 1910 census, he is recorded as a 'Tailor'. Brashich is likely to follow Serbian immigrant Charles 'Charlie' Brashich (May 16, 1881 - 1964), who worked for Nedekjkovich as a 'cook' as of 1918; by 1930, he is noted in census records as a restaurant proprietor. The final figure, Charles Kuharich (1861 - 19xx), owner of the International Publishing Company, a firm focused on socialist magazines (Industrial Worker) and propaganda. Kuharich was born in Serbia and emigrated to the United States in 1887, settling in Cleveland. After shutting down International Publishing, he operated a bookshop until at least the 1920s.   Further Details...

International Publishing Company (fl. c. 1911 - 1918) was a Cleveland, Ohio-based publishing concern owned and operated by Charles Kuharich (1861 - 19xx). The firm is known for its leftist communist / socialist posters and magazines, specifically the Industrial Worker. The firm also published several pro-labor socialist chromolithograph broadsides in cooperation with Nedeljkovich, Brashich, and Kuharich (fl. 1911 - 1917). We see no record of International publishing after 1918, and by 1920, the owner, Kuharich, owned a bookshop.   Further Details...

Condition

Good. Laid down on archival tissue. A few broken corners, reattached and stabilized.