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The April art exhibit at the Parish Center for the Arts recognizes the 101st anniversary of the United States’ entry into WW I.
On April 7, 1917 President Woodrow Wilson signed a declaration of war on Germany and launched the United States into a European conflict that had already been raging for nearly three years.
In order to develop national support for the war effort in an age without radio or television, the U.S. government turned to posters. Highlighted by the iconic “I Want You” poster depicting a very stern-looking Uncle Sam pointing his finger at the viewer — a potential recruit, enlistment posters for the Army, Navy and Marines were soon ubiquitous throughout the nation. Americans were also urged to seek employment in shipbuilding yards throughout the country, and a record number of vessels were soon launched to support the war effort.
Commonly featured on the nation’s home front were promotions for the work of important wartime government agencies such as the U.S. Food Administration and the companion Fuel Administration. Contributions made to organizations such as the American Red Cross and the YMCA/YWCA were also encouraged.
A common slogan urged that “Food Will Win The War,” and that all who were able should grow much of their own food in “Victory Gardens” in order that more could be shipped abroad. Posters urged young children to eat “oatmeal, corn meal, hominy and rice” in order to “save the wheat for our soldiers.” Families were regularly admonished to wipe their plates clean and observe Meatless Mondays and Wheatless Wednesdays.
Most numerous of all were posters urging participation in four separate major war bond drives undertaken by the Wilson administration. Special War Savings Stamp booklets were also given out so that young children and those unable to give larger amounts could invest their quarters in the war effort. Through illustrations of the American flag, the Statue of Liberty and many other popular patriotic symbols, these posters helped raise much of the cost of the war from the American citizenry.
Though German immigration to the United States in the latter nineteenth century had exceeded that of any other country, Germans now became popularly demonized. Poster artists created extremely derogatory images of the evil “Hun” including one of a giant, club-wielding gorilla (“the Mad Brute”) carrying off a half-naked woman. German soldiers were regularly depicted with bloody hands, knives or boots. The German Kaiser was the subject of regular ridicule.
A great many creative artists lent their talents to this effort by designing and drawing the posters. Many of these artists, such as James Montgomery Flagg, Howard Chandler Christy, Harrison Fisher and Haskell Coffin were already well known as illustrators through their work in books, magazines and advertising. Eager to support the war effort, they often contributed their work for free.
