Homogenizing a Pluralist Nation: Propaganda in World War I Woodrow Wilson created the Committee on Public Information in an effort to rally America's diverse population behind the nation's war effort. The committee used a wide range of media, including posters and films, to convey messages, inspire and persuade civilians. Achieving these goals required the effective application of persuasion techniques. This analysis will look at three main propaganda themes: military recruitment, war bond purchases, and the unification of a multi-ethnic society. We will explore the methods used by these propaganda initiatives to galvanize civilian support for the war effort. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Analysis of the Main Themes of World War I Propaganda Military Recruitment Recruitment and enlistment became an important propaganda theme. Two notable examples are Source 1, “Over There,” a spirited song by George M. Cohan, and Source 6, a poster depicting the Germans as menacing beasts. Source 1, “Là-bas”, is one of the most famous songs of the First World War. It served as a motivational anthem, encouraging young men to volunteer for military service. The song's lyrics, including phrases such as "make your daddy happy" and urging lovers to be proud of their boys, convey the idea that joining the military brings honor and pride to families and loved ones. With its lively and enthusiastic lyrics, the song generated a feeling of excitement and eagerness. Beyond its recruiting purpose, the song countered apprehension and negative feelings among loved ones while castigating those who prevented men from joining the battle. Source 6, a recruitment poster, depicts the Germans as ferocious, gorilla-like monsters. This poster was intended to evoke patriotic fervor while instilling terror, fear and animosity towards the enemy. The image of the menacing creature carrying a woman in its arms appealed to traditional gender roles, inspiring men to protect the nation and its vulnerable citizens by enlisting in the military. By dehumanizing Germans and cultivating a false image of the enemy, this poster contributed to the persecution and lynching of German-Americans by vigilante groups. It also fueled mutual suspicion among Americans, who lived in fear of being labeled spies or victims of violence. War Bond Purchases In addition to recruiting, propaganda urged those who did not enlist, particularly women, to contribute to the war effort by purchasing war bonds. Posters 8 and 9 targeted women, but with different approaches to encouraging their financial support for the war. Poster 8, titled “Women of America, Save Your Country,” featured an image of Joan of Arc, an iconic patriot, wearing armor and brandishing a sword. Jeanne plays a famous figure who led France in its fight against the English. Despite her martial appearance, Jeanne retained her beauty and femininity, with the sword symbolizing a means of protecting the nation. Figuratively speaking, women's consumerism served as a weapon to finance the war effort. The stamp programThe war savings plan did not require women to take up arms, but rather to purchase savings stamps and fulfill their prescribed gender roles. While Poster 8 encouraged women to buy war stamps, Poster 9 urged them to spend their Christmas purchases, thereby contributing to sales taxes that supported the war. In Poster 9, a woman wielded both a sword and an American flag, portraying an active, heroic, and powerful image that emphasized her importance and role in saving America. These posters empowered women in 1917, portraying them as instrumental in saving America, albeit within traditional roles as housewives and consumers. From a contemporary perspective, this depiction could be considered sexist, as it confines women to the role of consumers and implies that their main contribution to the war effort is to be good housewives who spend money. money in war bonds. In addition to the themes of recruitment and war bond purchases, an important propaganda theme centered on the unification of a multi-ethnic and pluralistic society in support of war. This was an important concern for the government and the driving force behind President Wilson's creation of the Committee on Public Information. Posters 11, 12 and 13 will be examined to explore this theme further. Poster 11, with its slogan "Help us help the boys", targeted Catholics, encouraging them to donate to the National Catholic Council to support Catholic soldiers. Poster 12 prominently featured the Jewish symbol, with a soldier standing in the middle of a pile of skeletons, calling for help. Similar to Poster 11, this poster called on the Jewish community to unite and help Jewish soldiers in the U.S. Army by contributing to the Jewish Welfare Board. Poster 13 depicted an African American soldier in a well-kept uniform, holding his sweetheart's hand. , while an army marched in the background under the American flag. This poster was intended to encourage African Americans to enlist in the armed forces. At the bottom of the poster, a bold statement read: “The colored man is not a slacker.” Joining the army was presented as a masculine duty, with soldiers seen as protectors of the home front. The poster sought to persuade African Americans that military service would earn them respect and demonstrate that they deserve full civil rights. Posters 11 through 13 specifically targeted Catholics, Jews, and African Americans, as these groups had faced discrimination, violence, and mistreatment during the year. the 1880s. During this period, American citizens harbored strong anti-immigration sentiments. However, as the nation entered war, it needed the support of all its citizens to ensure victory. To achieve this, the government sought to include all Americans, regardless of race or gender, and make them feel that they were equally important in the war effort. These posters were successful in fostering a sense of nationalism, unity, and solidarity among the diverse American population. Nevertheless, they also engendered false hopes among immigrants and foreign-born Americans that they would be treated as equals if they demonstrated their loyalty to the nation by enlisting in the war. Unfortunately, they would still face segregation and discrimination even after the war ended. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized item now.