In this lesson, students will view a variety of examples of WWI propaganda posters and discuss their message and why they were important for the war effort. After the discussion, students will create their own examples of WWI propaganda posters.
To inform students why WWI propaganda posters were so effective and important for the war effort.
- Define the concept of propaganda.
- Explain why the use of propaganda was of particular significance during this time period.
- Evaluate the different strategies and tools used in the creation of propaganda.
- Demonstrate their knowledge of propaganda characteristics, strategies, and tools by creating their own piece of propaganda.
- 9-12.AH.3.CC.B - Evaluate the motivations for United States’ entry into WWI.
- 9-12.AH.3.PC.D - Assess the impact of WWI related events, on the formation of “patriotic” groups, pacifist organizations, and the struggles for and against racial equality, and diverging women’s roles in the United States.
WWI Propaganda posters - examples can be found at http://www.ww1propaganda.com/ ,
http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/wwipos/background.html ,
http://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/object-groups/women-in-wwi/war-posters , and other various
internet and print sources
DAY 1
Students will walk into the classroom that has various examples of WWI propaganda posters (see primary sources above) on the walls.
Students will walk around the classroom examining the posters and write quick notes about the posters.
Students will pay close attention to:
- Message/theme
- Effectiveness
- Slogans
- Colors
- Author/organization
After students have had time to examine the posters, the class will discuss propaganda
What does propaganda mean?
Propaganda is information that is spread for the purpose of promoting a cause or
belief.
During WWI, posters were used to
- Recruit men to join the army
- Recruit women to work in the factories and in the Women’s Land Army
- Encourage people to save food and not to waste it
- Keep morale high and encourage people to buy government bonds
Why were propaganda posters needed during WWI?
Countries only had small standing, professional armies at the start of the war
They desperately needed men to join up and fight
Most people did not own radios and TVs had not yet been invented
The easiest way for the government to communicate with the people was through
posters stuck on walls in all the towns and cities
How were men encouraged to join the army?
Men were made to feel unmanly and cowardly for staying at home
How were women used to encourage men to join the army?
Women were encouraged to pressurise their husbands, boyfriends, sons, and
brothers to join up
How was fear used?
Some posters tried to motivate men to join up through fear
Posters showed the atrocities that the Germans were said to be committing in
France and Belgium
People were encouraged to fear that unless they were stopped, the Germans would
invade Britain and commit atrocities against their families
How were women encouraged to work in the factories or to join the army or the land girls?
When the men joined the war, the women were needed to do their jobs
There was a massive need for women in the factories, to produce the weapons,
ammunition and uniforms needed for the soldiers
There was a major food shortage and women were desperately needed to grow
food for the people of Britain and the soldiers in France
Posters encouraged everyone to do their bit
Through joining up
Through working for the war effort
By not wasting food
Through investing in government bonds
Why are WWI propaganda posters important?
For historians today, propaganda posters of WWI reveal the values and attitudes of
the people at the time
They tell us something about the feelings in Britain during WWI
Class will discuss the assignment (poster creation)
Students will begin brainstorming ideas for their own propaganda posters in small groups
Students will begin creating their propaganda posters
DAY 2
Students will continue working to create their propaganda posters
DAY 3
Students will be given 15 minutes to finish their posters and hang them up around the classroom
Students will walk around the room and look at the posters created by their classmates
Students will play close attention to:
- Message/theme
- Effectiveness
- Slogans
- Colors
Directions: You will create an effective propaganda poster on one of the topics below that could
have been used in World War I.
• Possible topics:
• Enlistment and recruitment
• The role of women
• Financing the war
• Food conservation
• Aiding our allies
• Entering the war
• Guidelines
• The poster will be drawn or printed (using photoshop or etc) on 8 ½” by 11” paper and
graded on your use of message/theme, creativity, neatness, historical accuracy,
explanation, and use of characteristics/techniques
