Introduction

Students have read about how labor, business, and the government used propaganda to unite Americans in support of World War I. In this exercise, students will evaluate the messages of several posters from the World War I era.

Lesson Description

Students will use information from the WWI Web site to evaluate the messages of posters from World War I. Students will examine several posters from the era and their different messages—to purchase war bonds, conserve food, support women workers, and support soldiers. Students will then answer four questions and apply this information by preparing a brochure that describes a World War I propaganda poster exhibit.

Instructional Objectives

1. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the U.S. military and economic mobilization for World War I and the role of Americans at home in the war effort.
2. Students will be able to use this knowledge to prepare a brochure that describes a World War I propaganda poster exhibit.

Student Activity Answers

1. Many of the posters remind Americans to purchase war bonds to finance the battle. Several ask young men to enlist, while others convey the dangers of the enemy. Posters that address food conservation were meant to encourage Americans to conserve sugar, wheat products, fats, and meat for export to soldiers fighting overseas. A few posters ask that Americans support the women who are helping in the war effort. There is even a poster that asks Americans to send their binoculars to the Navy, and one poster asks children to save their quarters to buy war stamps.
2. Enlistment posters target young men. Children are asked to buy war stamps in one poster. Food conservation posters are aimed at everyone as they encourage people to eat just the amount they need, and no more.
3. Red is a popular color on the posters, both for its eye-catching appeal and for its connection with blood. The enemy is depicted as a pair of blood-soaked boots and a blood-red hand. Enemies are dark figures without faces. "Lady Liberty" and "Uncle Sam" appear in several posters to invoke patriotism and the love of freedom.
4. Students' answers will vary but should include ideas that the posters were constant reminders of the menacing enemy, of fellow Americans fighting for freedom, and of ways that citizens could help in the war effort. The posters helped to unify Americans by using patriotic messages and peer pressure.
5. Students' exhibit brochures will vary.

Go to Student Web Activity