IndexIntroductionAnalysis of major themes of World War I propagandaMilitary RecruitingWar Bond PurchasingUnification of a Multiethnic SocietyConclusionReferencesIntroductionDuring World War I, President Woodrow Wilson established the Committee for 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 persuasive techniques. This analysis will delve into three main propaganda themes: military recruitment, the purchase of war bonds and the unification of a multi-ethnic society. We will explore the methods these propaganda efforts employed to galvanize civilian support for the war effort. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Analysis of Major Themes of World War I PropagandaMilitary RecruitingRecruitment and enlistment emerged as a major propaganda theme. Two notable examples are Source 1, “Over There,” a lively song by George M. Cohan, and Source 6, a poster portraying Germans as menacing beasts. Source 1, “Over There,” is among the most famous songs of World War I. It served as a motivational anthem, encouraging young people to volunteer for military service. The song's lyrics, including phrases such as "make your father happy" and urging lovers to be proud of their boys in line, conveyed the idea that joining the military brought honor and pride to families and loved ones. With its lively and enthusiastic lyrics, the song generated a sense of excitement and enthusiasm. Beyond its recruiting purpose, the song counteracted apprehension and negative feelings among loved ones while chastising those who prevented men from joining the battle. Source 6, a recruiting poster, depicted the Germans as ferocious gorilla-like monsters. This poster aimed to evoke patriotic fervor while at the same time instilling terror, fear and animosity towards the enemy. The image of the menacing creature carrying a woman in his arms appealed to traditional gender roles, urging men to protect the nation and its vulnerable citizens by joining 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 fostered mutual suspicion among Americans, who lived in fear of being labeled spies or becoming victims of violence. Purchasing War Bonds 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 were aimed at women, albeit 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 wielding a sword. Joan embodied a celebrated figure who led France in its fight against the English. Despite her martial appearance, Joan 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 War Savings Stamps program did not require women to take up arms, but rather to purchase stampssavings and fulfill prescribed gender roles. While Poster 8 encouraged women to purchase war stamps, Poster 9 urged them to spend the dollars on Christmas shopping, contributing to sales taxes that support the war. In poster 9, a woman brandished both a sword and an American flag, portraying an active, heroic, and powerful image that emphasized their significance and role in saving America. These posters empowered women in 1917, portraying them as instrumental in saving America, albeit within the framework of traditional roles as homemakers and consumers. From a contemporary perspective, one might consider this portrayal sexist, as it confines women to the role of consumers and implies that their primary contribution to the war effort lies in being good housewives who spend money on war bonds. The unification of a multi-ethnic societyIn addition to the themes of recruitment and the purchase of war bonds, a major propaganda theme centered on uniting a multi-ethnic and pluralistic society in support of the war. This was a significant concern for the government and the driving force behind President Wilson's formation of the Committee on Public Information. Posters 11, 12 and 13 will be examined to explore this theme further. Poster 11, with the slogan "Help us help the boys", targeted Catholics, encouraging them to make a donation to the National Catholic Council to support Catholic soldiers. Poster 12 featured the Jewish symbol prominently, with a soldier standing among a pile of skeletons, calling for help. Similar to poster 11, this poster called on the Jewish community to join together and help Jewish soldiers in the U.S. Army by contributing to the Jewish Welfare Board. Poster 13 featured an African American soldier dressed in a well-kept uniform, holding the hand of his significant other. , while an army marched in the background under the American flag. This poster aimed to encourage African Americans to join the military. At the bottom of the poster, a bold statement read, “The black man is no slacker.” Joining the army was described 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 prove they deserved full civil rights. Posters 11 through 13 were specifically aimed at Catholics, Jews, and African Americans, as these groups had experienced discrimination, violence, and mistreatment in the 1880s. During that time, American citizens harbored strong anti-immigrant sentiments. However, when the nation went to war, it needed the support of all its citizens to ensure victory. To achieve this goal, the government sought to include all Americans, regardless of their race or gender, and make them feel equally important in the war effort. These posters successfully promoted a sense of nationalism, unity, and solidarity among America's diverse population. However, they also generated false hope among immigrants and foreign-born Americans that they would be treated equally if they demonstrated their loyalty to the nation by enlisting in the war. Unfortunately, they would still encounter segregation and discrimination even after the war ended. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Conclusion The use of propaganda proved to be very effective in arousing patriotism and motivating all Americans contributed to the war effort. To influence civilians to support the war, the government has.