WWI Poster Analysis

1. I would define the word propaganda as a way of express an opinion that changes the mindset of a large group of people.

2. Propaganda is defined as information, ideas, or rumors deliberately spread widely to help or harm a person, group, movement, institution, nation, etc.
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/propaganda

3. the first image shows 2 sides of a window. on one side a man stands in the shadows observing soldiers marching on the other side. the side that the man is on is in the dark to show how important the soldiers are and the flag in the background is used to show patriotism. the man is wearing a suit to show he is wealthy or mature and that is the type of person the army is trying to recruit. the words on the poster say "on which side of the window are you" to convey the message that just watching the war happening and not participating in it was cowardly or lazy. in large yellow letters the word "enlist" is written at the top that stand out and draw the readers attention to it. this poster was targeted towards young, mature men to convince them to join the war.

4. the second image is a man that looks like he's building something then behind him is the shadow of a soldier with the same pose as him. instead of holding a rivet like the man, the soldier is holding a bayonet. The words on the poster says "rivets are bayonets, drive them home!". from this message it is shown that the poster is targeted towards engineers who can build the equipment to bring the soldiers home. the american flag in the background also sends the message of patriotism. the poster wants men who are engineers to join the army out of patriotism to build equipment for the soldiers.

5. the third image is for the american red cross, which is almost all made up of women. underneath the sign is a basket filled with yarn and knitting tools. the words say "our boys need sox knit your bit" as if to say that all that women could do to help in the war was to knit socks for the soldiers. this poster is targeted towards women so that they can contribute to the war in their own way without actually participating in battle.

6. I think that the only way I could feel comfortable with the federal government spending tax dollars to create a propaganda campaign to convince me of something would be if it was for a positive cause like needing recruits or support for a war, or for awareness of a disease or something.

7. the government felt it was necessary to use propaganda for the WWI because americans didn't feel like they were involved in the war since it was happening so far away and couldn't imagine it as something that they would ever have to experience, so no one was exciting about joining the army to fight.