Words and Images
as Weapons

During World War I (1914–1918), propaganda was a key part of military battle. Military leaders discovered that propaganda not only influenced how hard soldiers fought on the battlefield, but the use of words and images also shaped certain stereotypes and beliefs about the enemy, which was important for recruiting more soldiers.

📷  1917 WWI recruitment poster for the U.S. Army. Artist: James Montgomery Flagg (1877-1960)
Plakat med teksten "I want you for U.S.A. Army" og bilde av Uncel Sam som peker mot deg, som ble brukt for å rekruttere amerikanske soldater under 1. verdenskrig.
Mørk murvegg
Mørk murvegg

“Stop the Germans!”

England poured out propaganda for the countries that did nott participate in WWI – the neutral nations. These countries were fed with horror stories about German combat. England and their allies were fighting “a war to end all wars”. It was important to have the support of as many as possible to fight the German desire to create a huge military state in Europe. Towards the end of WWI, the United States became worried that Germany might also occupy their country.

📷  1917 American propaganda poster showing Germany as a crazy gorilla stomping into the United States. Artist: Harry Ryle Hopps (1869-1937)
Plakat fra 1917 der Tyskland fremstilles som en gal gorilla med en halvnaken kvinne i den ene armen, og en bloddryppende klubbe i den andre.
Mørk murvegg
Mørk murvegg

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