Printed Page 841-0(cont.)

A History of Western Society: Printed Page 841

Chapter Chronology

PRIMARY SOURCE 25.3

Wartime Propaganda Posters

This famous French propaganda poster from 1918 (left) proclaims “They shall not pass” and expresses the French determination to hold back the German invaders at any cost. The American recruitment poster from 1917 (right) encourages “fighting men” to “join the Navy.”

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(Private Collection/© Galerie Bilderwelt/The Bridgeman Art Library)
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(Private Collection/© Galerie Bilderwelt/The Bridgeman Art Library)

EVALUATE THE EVIDENCE

  1. Question

    How would you describe the soldier and sailor pictured on these posters? What messages about the war do the posters convey?

  2. Question

    The “They shall not pass” poster was created after France had been at war for four years, while the naval recruitment poster came out before American troops were actively engaged overseas. How might the country of origin and the date of publication have affected the messages conveyed?