Sepia Saturday: War Propaganda




During World War I, 65 million men and women were called to service on both sides of the conflict. More than half of them were killed, wounded, captured, or declared missing in action. 



It was supposed to be the war to end all wars. In securing that objective, it was a complete failure.

The human fodder for the war machine was solicited partly by compulsory draft registration and mandatory service and partly through appeals to patriotism. Conscription wasn't a huge political issue in World War One because the U.S. sat on the sidelines for the first three years of the war.




When it finally officially entered the fray, most men had barely finished training and gotten to the front before the Armistice was declared on November 11, 1918. Nevertheless, American soldiers cheered (AP photo) when peace was announced.



I thought you might enjoyed seeing some of the propaganda art that fueled the war from the American side. 


Comments

Alan Burnett said…
Indeed it was interesting. As for the war, if its objective was "to end all wars" it not only failed but perhaps achieved the opposite of its desires. Sad.
Unknown said…
I've been delving more into WWI after finding family photos from then and realizing I recalled very little of that time of history. The spirit of patriotism was awakened, certainly.....
Marilyn & Jeff said…
This is an amazing set of postcards - sad to think they were being 'sold' as the means to end a war when it was only the start for those who joined up.
Unknown said…
The War to end all wars. If only. It seems so noble then.
A great set of postcards.
there is no such thing as "the war to end all wars", as it seems to be into human nature to destroy itself for whatever reason, sadly... interesting artwork nonetheless, but its purpose is not something that compelles me to patriotic action as i don't believe in this mean to "solve" a problem...but i respect those who feel it is their duty to do so. the world needs warriors, and healers...
:/~
HUGZ
Nancy said…
What a sad time and what a sad outcome to that war. But I love the illlustrations, especially the last two. Though they were propaganda for the war, they also speak volumes about love - mother and son; nurse/healer for patient.

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