WW I Propaganda - The Poster War• Propaganda - the spreading of ideas,

information, or rumor for the purpose of helping or injuring an institution, a cause, or a person.– A deliberate attempt to influence individuals by

leading one to behave “as though his response were his own decision.”

• In war, it’s used as an instrument for maintaining unity, good will and a common purpose:

– Maintaining and boosting the morale of soldiers.– Unifying society at home in support of the war effort.

The following posters are divided into three parts:• Propaganda symbols

• The use of the soldier on the battlefront as a universal propaganda image.

• The home-front, especially the evolution in the portrayal of women.

Propaganda Symbols

• Identify and vilify the enemy.

• Glorify the Allies

• Portrayal of Women as Victims.

Britain 1917

Artist: David Wilson

USA

1917

One last effort & we will get them.

Artist: Unknown

France 1917

USA

1918

Sottoscrivete al Prestito

Subscribe for the Loan

Artist: Giovanni Capranesi Italy 1917

Canada

1918

Liberation Loan France 1918

The use of the soldier on the battlefront

• Defender of Civilization

• Heroes

• One who always does his duty despite hardships.

They Shall Not Pass

France

1918

We Will Get Them

France 1916

Zeichnet 7. Kriegsanleihe - Wiener KommerzialbankTranslation: Subscribe for the 7th War Loan Alfred Offner 1917 - Germany

Canada

1917

Offering the Army and Navy

Germany 1916

For The Supreme Effort

France 1915

USA

1917

THE HOME-FRONT

• Evolution in the portrayal of women.– Shifted from one of women as victims to a

more positive image:• As care givers.• Factory workers in jobs formerly held by men.

USA

1918

USA

1918

USA 1918

The Frenchwoman in War-Time. Artist: G. Capon - France 1917Summary: One woman is working in a factory, a second is nursing her child, andanother is working in the field. In the background is an outline of Victory. French women made up over 40 percent of the work force during the war. Over two million were recruited into positions in heavy industry.

Four years in the fight. The womenof France, we owe them houses ofcheer. United War Work Campaign.

Artist: Lucien Hector Jonas USA 1918

THE END!Bibliography

Ivarone, Mike., Posters From the Great War. Trenches on the Web. Available athttp://www.worldwar1.com/reflib.htm

Mahovich, Roger N., British Posters of World War I. Fairchild Memorial Gallery

Lauinger Library, Georgetown University. Available at

http://gulib.lausun.georgetown.edu/dept/speccoll/britpost/posters.htm

Tynski, Gary., Canadian War Poster Collection. McGill University, 2001. Available at http://imago.library.mcgill.ca/warposters/intro.htm