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  • Writer's pictureLaks

The History of Propaganda Posters (2)


WW1

The stereotypical propaganda poster, being one containing all bold block colours, strident text and simple imagery, didn't fully rise until WW1 when the 'Political poster was born'

Different methods of propaganda were developed for the War including recruitment posters luring people to fight for their country.

The 'Secret propaganda Bureau' was established in Wellington House in London and was used to encourage this. examples of their methods would be bold block writing with captions such as, 'women of britain say go' and 'fight for the dear old flag' followed by cartoons and simple images all in bright colours.

Many posters also relied on symbolism to get their point across to the nation. Examples include for America 'Uncle sam' appearing frequently as a symbol of the USA. For the United Kingdom, representations include 'John Bull' and 'Britannia'





Posters of allies often illustrated Germany as a caricature called a 'Hun' which was usually represented in an evil manner with elements such as being covered in blood and wearing a

'Spiked helmet'



Propaganda posters were also used for different needs in some countries such as France and Germany as recruitment was not a desperate needs like The United Kingdom, and their propaganda posters focused mainly on raising money to finance the war instead. Those who did not enlist in the war were asked to purchase bonds or subscribe to war loans instead to do their 'Part for the country' Most finance posters used numismatic imagery to illustrate the message they were trying to portray, with examples being coins turning into bullets which 'crush the enemy'





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