Final answer:
Thomas Nast's cartoon "The Union as it Was" can affect perceptions of the Union strategy as dangerous or treacherous, reflecting the contentious political climate of the Reconstruction era. Different viewers would have received the image differently, but it generally indicates a divided society with conflicting views on Republican policies.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the political cartoon "The Union as it Was" by Thomas Nast, the portrayal of the snake can significantly affect the viewer's impression of the Union strategy during the Reconstruction era. The snake illustration in the context of the Union’s measures in Louisiana could symbolize treachery or danger, which might suggest that Nast viewed the Union's strategy as harmful or menacing, particularly to the political prospects of the Republican Party. When President Grant applied force in reaction to the White Leagues' attempts to overthrow Republican rule in Louisiana, it ultimately backfired, damaging the Republican Party's standing both locally and nationally in 1874.
As for what the political cartoon implies about the political climate of the Reconstruction period, it conveys a sense of division and conflict. Different individuals during that time might have received the image in varied ways, with Republicans possibly seeing it as a critique of Grant's policy, whereas Democrats and members of the White Leagues might have seen it as validation of their view that Republican rule in the South was problematic. Overall, the cartoon suggests the contentious nature of political life in post-Civil War America, particularly in the southern states struggling under Reconstruction policies.