Visual Source 20.2
Women and the War
The “total” character of World War I ensured that women would be mobilized for the struggle in many ways. American women, for example, were strongly encouraged to save food, especially wheat, to support the war effort. Posters also gave the great struggle a feminine face, as illustrated in Visual Source 20.2. A 1917 U.S. poster, it sought to encourage people to buy Liberty Bonds, which raised money for the war effort and demonstrated the buyer’s patriotism.
Question
How would you describe the posture of the woman in this poster? What image of a woman does it seek to convey?
Question
What message does the backdrop of the poster communicate? Notice the church and city in flames.
Question
In appealing for sacrifice or public support in time of war, why might a feminine image be more effective than a masculine image?
Question
Compare this poster with this British image of women in the war. What different message about the role of women does this image convey? To what kind of audience did each of these posters appeal?