At the outbreak of World War I, Empires and nation-states began employing and disseminating propaganda on a widespread, international scale. With new weapons came a focus on using modern concepts of nationalism, patriotism and service to help deliver "victory". News from battlefronts was also disseminated faster than ever, and it began to filter back home and into the public consciousness. And while governments and rulers have long understood that controlling the views and beliefs of subjects and citizens is crucial to progress, the sheer scale and length of WWI meant that persistent propaganda and advertising became essential. I'm going to share 5 posters from the Great War and comment on context and meaning.
5.
This is a Russian poster depicting Kaiser Wilhelm II as the devil. War and conflict had long been waged between Russia and Prussia, but by 1914 the Kaiser - who was also the king of Prussia - was widely understood to be the enemy of the Russian people. (Note: This made life difficult for the Tsar's German-born wife!) Through overt advertising and propaganda messages, it was believed by many - especially those at the top of Russia's oppressive pyramid - that defeating Germany, Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire would bring an end to Russia's widespread struggles. What we also see in this image of the devil and the human skulls is the barbarity and savagery that Russians were to believe that Germany stood for. This atrocity propaganda was used by every participant and often touched on religious and cultural beliefs.
4.
Only us Aussies would be able to get the beach into the war effort! And talk about a savage guilt trip!
The contentious issue of conscription came to the floor during WWI, and even as far away as Australia is, the Commonwealth still came knocking. Given the number of servicemen who were dying and the size of the armies that were needed to forge ahead, propaganda wasn't just employed to depict the enemy as evil - justifying the war, but also to recruit 'volunteers'. (Note: Australia initially pledged 20,000 troops.) Emotional blackmail was mixed with national sentiment and resulted in a man's worth being defined by his willingness to fight. What advances in travel and news also allowed for, though, were atrocities to be widely portrayed through letters, photographs and print media.
3.
Now there's a hunkasaurus! Let your eyes feast on those luscious locks, and check out that oh-so-masculine jawline!
This German poster concentrated on raising funds for the war effort - "War loans help the guardians of your happiness." The word choice is fascinating to think about while looking at the German soldier quite literally protecting his wife and baby. (Women and children were often used as symbols of purity, innocence and righteousness.) On top of gaining support and sympathy through advertisements and propaganda images, all sides in this world war needed "war loans" and finances to help fund a war that no one thought would span from 1914-1918. In fact, German military officials were so confident that it was going to be a short, explosive war that they believed they would be home for Christmas.
2.
Women were used in war propaganda in a variety of ways; although they were depicted as helpless and innocent victims of an evil opposition, they were also called on to join the war effort by taking on manufacturing, agricultural and industrial roles that had otherwise been filled by men. Production on the homefront was spearheaded by women who created support organisations and put in long hours of manual labour to support the national effort.
Women also donned military uniforms in WWI. The Great War was the first time in American history that women were officially attached to the military. For example, women served in the American navy, while the Army Nurse Corps was assigned to the army when the United States officially entered the war in 1917.
1.
What more do I need to say? Oh, except that it was actually a rip-off based off of the 'Lord Kitchener wants you' poster from 1914...
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