Propaganda in World War I
By: Denisse Quirazco
U.S Food Administration
President Woodrow Wilson appointed Herbert Hoover as commander of the U.S. Food Administration. Even though the U.S. had been the leading producer of food at this time, it was now not only feeding the U.S. soldiers but as well as providing food for all of the Allies. Hoover introduced what was nicknamed "hooverizing". Hooverizing is what Americans called their new way of life. Saving a loaf of bread a week was Hoovers idea in order to avoid rationing by cutting down on consumption.
- Targeted Audience: People at home who are not enlisted in the army.
- Techniques: Glittering Generality (uses catchphrase) and Plain Folks (approaches the general bread consumer)
- Terms of citizenship: This poster shows how much the U.S. values its soldiers and its citizens at the same time. They want to keep supplies flowing to the soldiers without making the citizens rationalize and or have low food supply.
James Flagg and Howard Christy
Howard Chandler Christy
Christy's illustration usually featured beautiful women trying to pursue men to join the army. The girls became so well known they got the nick name "Christy's Girls". This picture shows "America" waving a flag and encourages citizens to help in the war effort by either joining the war or by paying bonds to help the U.S. finance the war.
- Technique: Transfer (waving the flag and miss America)
- Targeted Audience: All men and Women
- Terms of Citizenship: Only male soldiers in the background
James Montgomery Flagg
James illustrated what is probably the most known propaganda poster in American history. He created Uncle Sam's "I want you!" along with many other great works such as this one. "Will you have a part of victory?" is trying to get all citizens who are not already enlisted in the army to help by growing their own garden. "Every garden is a munitions plant" means that if everyone who was growing their own garden is helping produce supplies for soldiers one way or another.
- Technique: Plain Folks (reaches out to everyone about having a part in winning the war); Transfer (American flag); Bandwagon (follow the crowd, be a part of the winning side)
- Targeted Audience: Citizens not fighting, wants them to grow their own food supply to avoid a shortage.
- Terms of Citizenship: Men are at war and women should be at home trying to help in some other way.
James Montgomery Flagg
Children obviously couldn't afford liberty bonds, but to encourage them to support the war the government sold war saving stamps. The stamps paid interest so it not only taught children about patriotism but also about how important saving your money is.
- Technique: Bandwagon (children can help out too); Testimonial (Uncle Sam); Plain Folks (ordinary children)
- Targeted Audience: Children
- Terms of Citizenship: Everyone could help out in the war effort
Modern Day Propaganda
Technique: Plain Folks (uses both men and women, black and white, and common people)
Targeted Audience: Every citizen eligible to fight in the war
Terms of Citizen: Everyone deserves an equal chance to serve the country if they wish too