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
A great set of postcards.
:/~
HUGZ