WWI Poster Analysis

When you think about WWI the word propaganda might come to mind. I would define propaganda as to use something that might be misleading as a way to persuade someone to do something. Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines propaganda as "ideas or statements that are often false or exaggerated and that are spread in order to help a cause, a political leader, a government, ect." During this time the government used propaganda as much as they could to have people to enlist in the army. One way the government did this was by creating posters to 'persuade' people into enlisting. 

When first looking at the poster I notice the man on the horse (the cavalry) and the wording saying "Your Duty". The cavalry symbolizes how how by joining the army is heroic and it will make a difference. Because of the white background the red saying "Your Duty!" really popped which draws the eye, it makes you feel that it's what you're suppose to do as an American citizen. The artist intent/message was to draw people into joining the army by showing visually that its heroic and it's the right thing for them to do. I feel as though that this poster was intended for those who were looking for their purpose during this time, and that this purpose was answered by the poster.

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When initially looking at this poster I see Uncle Sam and the large red "YOU". The artist used Uncle Sam as a symbol of the government to say that the government personally wanted them for the army, for them to enlist. The large red YOU helped bring that message across. This poster was for those who wanted to do more for their country and this poster helped show that they were needed specifically. 

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When looking at this poster initially my eyes instantly travel to the women dressed in the navy uniform. The artist used the woman any the saying "I want you for the navy." to persuade men that they would her hero if they were to join the navy. This poster was used for the men who were looking to be someone's hero and this poster showed that they would be her hero by joining.

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I am honestly against the idea of the federal government spending, tax dollars to create a propaganda campaign to convince you of something. The federal government felt it was necessary to invest in producing propaganda posters during WWI because without it no one would enlist. The young men of this time period needed to be persuaded to join the military because without it they were too scared to do it so it resulted them not enlisting. This was basically a last result for the federal government to have people enlist in the military.