Blog 4

Here I am again talking about war propaganda because why the hell not. It’s just that good where it can have a bunch more things to talk about.  To not retread too many of the same points, I think last time I spoke on this topic I spoke on a lot of the negative aspects of war ( as if there was a positive that was worth the cost) and talked a lot about the dehumanizing aspects of the times.  Will do my best to highlight the other side of propaganda: glorification of one’s own side.
Matter, Herbert. America Calling.
I was torn between this piece and another on what was more patriotic but settled on this poster as I felt it screamed American patriotism.  The eagle, the red and blue lines, the slight diagonal tilt to the piece as a whole giving it that level of energy. Everything just works in this poster.
United States, Congress, Packer. “‘WE'VE JUST BEGUN TO FIGHT!" ‘WATCH US PUT IT ACROSS!".” "WE'VE JUST BEGUN TO FIGHT!" "WATCH US PUT IT ACROSS!", 1941.
Another good piece that serves to rally troops.  It has it all; predominantly red, white, and blue color palate, inclusion of the our nation bird, and this grand and epic feel it it to wrap it up.  Also I want to note the direction the eagle is facing: right. Because Americans read left to right most art follows this principle by having their actors facing the same way depending on who it is. 
James Montgomery Flagg, I Want You for U.S. Army, 1917, chromolithograph on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Barry and Melissa Vilkin, 1995.84.53

Bringing it back to WW1 what’s there to say about one of if not the most iconic piece of American war propaganda that hasn’t already been said.

Comments

  1. Allan GuintuFebruary 5, 2020 at 11:31 AM

    I was also leading towards these kinds of posters to blog about. The way posters had a great impact during the war efforts of every country involved. The use of their leaders to generate popularity and followers were very powerful. These posters helped people to contribute in the war efforts against the Axis Power during WW2 .

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  2. isaac dovaliFebruary 5, 2020 at 2:45 PM

    I also chose to talk about the war propaganda in my post because the strong imagery in the propaganda, especially in the ones you chose to include here, always do such a good job of conveying the message they want to get across which makes sense looking back and seeing how effective they were when war times were common.

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