World War I Propaganda in America

The purpose of propaganda is to change a population's viewpoint of a certain topic or cause. During World War One, America was filled with propaganda from the Committee of Public Information and other media outlets. One example is the propaganda poster from New York American Magazine promoting Liberty Bonds.

This poster tries to convince the Americna people to buy liberty bonds to help out the war effort. It uses the logic that if you can't enlist, invest. It tries to guilt the public that didn't enlist into buying liberty bonds to help their country since the people won't fight. It also uses nationalism by saying "defend your country with you dollars." By buying these liberty bonds, the public is defending its country. The huge white soldier is representing America while his shield and sword is representing the power of Liberty bonds for America to fight different problems. These problems include devastation, starvation, war, pestilence, and death which are all represented but the foes that the soldier is facing.

Another example is from James Montgomery Flagg is promoting the navy.

This propaganda poster tries to convince the American public to join the navy to make history instead of reading it. It's targeting an average male American to join the navy since it shows an average American talking to a navy soldier. The angel in the background that is covered in American like flag wear is repreasenting the good cause of joining the navy. The navy soldier represents an experienced navy soldier showing the way to the average American to the way. He is also the one telling him to make history instead of reading it.

These posters were most likely very effective in 1914 through 1918 because they both show strong nationalism in the posters which is what most Americans felt about their young country at the time. If posters were released now if WW1 was happening now the posters would most likely include a more diverse sent of people instead of just all white males.