Kelly Liang

9/6/2013
4
Propaganda in World War I Questions
1.
These countries use symbols that represent their own countries, other organizations, and
religions. There is a red star on a Russian poster. On that poster, three patriots stand together,
with a red star on the top of the poster. Red star is not only a symbol of Russia, but also a symbol
that represents communism, which was popular in Russia during the 20 th century. On another
poster created by Britain, there is a red cross at the top. This poster basically shows that a
German nun pours a glass of water onto the ground when an English prisoner cries for water. The
red cross is the logo of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which is a
worldwide humanitarian organization. The Christ is in a German poster, in which the Christ is
conducting the German soldiers to fight. The Christ is one of the three aspects of God,
representing fate and the Providence. These countries thus utilize different symbols in their
propagandas to show ideas that summon peoples patriotism.
2.
These propagandas illustrate needs for draftees, food, and funds in different countries that
are involved in World War I. An Australian poster shows the need for more soldiers. The poster,
titled Are YOU in this?, shows a picture of men and women working to build weapons and the
soldiers are fighting. This poster summons the patriotism in Australian peoples hearts, which
motivates them to join armies to fight in World War I. On the other hand, France needs more
food, for one of the French propagandas has a picture of fresh vegetable like cabbage, potatoes,
and carrots, which shows that there is starvation among French civilians and soldiers. Canada
creates several propagandas in order to absorb more loans for the war. A poster, in which a
woman dying in a mans arm in the sea, is captioned Victory Bonds Will Help Stop This.
Victory war bond was a type of war bonds in Canada during the World War I, so this propaganda
shows Canadas need for loans. Therefore, propagandas created by countries involved in World
War I show the needs for soldiers, food, and loans.
3.
There are similarities and differences between German and the Allieds propagandas. One
of the similarities is patriotism. In most of the German posters provided by the primary source,
pictures of soldiers fighting in World War I are shown. A Belgian poster also shows patriotism by
putting up a picture of soldiers staring at their ruined homeland invaded by German armies.
Propagandas of both sides show need for soldiers and patriotism, and these posters, therefore, are
similar in this way. However, besides patriotism, the Allied nations also illustrate the need for
food. On a propaganda created by the United States, there is nothing but words dont stop
saving food on it. Since the primary source does not provide any posters that show need for
food in Germany, this could be one of the differences between the Central and Allied nations
posters.
4.
The purpose of propaganda was to provoke patriotism by spreading rumors of the
opposing side, showing the need for soldiers and picture that provokes anger in peoples hearts in
World War I. In the British propaganda,