Men Called to Arms

The use of propaganda was a common thing in war. In particular, posters were used as a reliable and effective form of propaganda. It was the use of these posters that enabled such a great response to the war. These posters stimulated enthusiasm in the people and helped develop a greater sense of Nationalism. War posters were used to recruit soldiers through use of propaganda and repetitive slogans. These men were in a sense being “called to arms” to fight for their nation (Britain). This “call to arms” helped Britain raise enough men to have a strong army.
There were many different posters that all served the same underlying purpose. A poster that read, “More men and still more until the enemy is crushed”, was telling the public that the country and army needed more men. Without more men the enemy could not be defeated. “Another Call” shows that there have been many calls like this and the people in the Nation need to step up and join the army. Similar to this poster is the poster that said, “The Empire needs men! All answer the call. Helped by the Young Lions and Old Lion defies his foes. Enlist now.” Depicted in this war poster are many ferocious looking lions. This picture evokes fierce emotion in the viewer. It de-personifies warriors and soldiers to make them into bold and strong lions. The lion is the focus of the poster and may represent Britain and the other smaller lions behind him are the soldiers needed for the war. This poster is asking for new recruits of healthy young men that resemble lions because of their fierceness, toughness, and will to fight.

The Nation is represented in these posters. Concepts of the Nation were forming around this time and were especially evident in the recruitment of British men into the Army and Navy. One poster that evoked feeling of Nationalism said, “National service. Defend your island from the grimmest menace that ever threatened it.” This poster is implying that one should fight to protect their home country. This “call to arms” is to defend their “island” meaning Great Britain. There are slight hints of propaganda in this poster when it refers to the enemy as “the grimmest menace that ever threatened it”. This propaganda was used over and over to make the British people see their enemy and very savage and threatening and therefore they wanted to rise up and join the army to protect their country and Nation.

There were different types of posters used to recruit men. Some posters evoked emotion whereas other evoked fear and hatred. There were also the other war posters that wanted the viewer to feel a great sense of Nationalism. The people needed to know facts however, so they used posters to teach the people about everything they needed to know about being enlisted in the army. There was a poster with the title, “More men are wanted for His Majesty’s army”. It is obvious that Britain needs as many men as they can get. “More Men” is a prevalent message among these posters and is a slogan that was probably instilled in the peoples’ heads at this time of war. This poster, differing from the others, is more informative than thought provoking. It informs the common man of his duties, pay, allowances, pensions and provisions, as well as how and where to enlist. This information is crucial to the every-day laborer who is looking to understand more about the exact details of being enlisted in the army during World War I.

Along with men being called to arms, there was a strong push for the involvement in women. This involvement helped further the cause of the war effort. It was the men, however, that were the ones fighting and dying every day. The army needed as many men as it could get. Through uses of propaganda war posters the British government succeeded in putting together a large and powerful army for the War. Although propaganda is usually looked at in a negative light, it can be seen here as a sort of good tactic because it benefitted the country as a whole. Without a sufficient amount of national pride, there would not be enough Patriotism and Nationalism that was needed from the people to create a large army with determined middle-age men fighting for a higher purpose and cause, their country, their Nation.

The Role of Women both Home and Abroad in WWI

In a time of war, nationalism and pride in one’s country is essential for its success.  Nationalism and pride were apparent all throughout Europe during the First World War, especially in Great Britain.  The role of British women was crucial in the defense of the nation during war.  Women were capable of aiding the nation at home by constructing weapons and supplying food for the army.  Through certain organizations women were given the choice to work at home or abroad through domestic work and other necessities.  At the war front, women were able to aid the nation by serving as cooks and nurses.  Through hundreds of organizations women were given the opportunity to serve their nation without actually fighting. 

            During times of war, nationalism is important in the war at home.  The army did not only provide military occupations, but also jobs that could be done at home.  Individual city councils offered jobs to do at home, such as ammunition work.  One poster reads, “London County Council: Women Wanted for Munition Work.  Offer of Free Training and Maintenance.”  This offer appealed to many women due to the free training, and being able to do the work at home instead of at the front.  During this time, women were in charge of raising children while their husbands fought in the war.  This could be done while working domestic jobs for the nation.  In this case, a wage is not stated but requires a minimum of eight hours of work daily.  It was vitually a call to arms for women.  They were called to do their part in the war, and were able to do so from home.  Another service, the National Service, offered farming jobs to women in aid of the Army.  A wage, housing, uniform, and maintenance were all included as part of this job.  This also appealed to many women who sought to become active in the war.  This organization, like many others, offered work both at home and abroad.

            Working abroad also appealed to many women.  The fact that they were given a choice made the offer better and comforted those wanting the job.  One organization, the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps, offered jobs to women such as cooks, waitresses, clerks, and driving mechanics.  “Women Urgently Wanted for the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (W.A.A.C.).  Work at Home and Abroad With The Forces.”  Good wages were included, along with housing, a uniform, and food.  Women now had the opportunity to directly serve the army.  The poster also states that they were taking the place of men.  This provided more men to serve in the army, because women now took care of necessary jobs that men used to do.  Another organization, Queen Mary’s Army Auxiliary Corps, offered jobs including general clerks, ledger clerks, and typists. This offer, as did many others, offered free training and a wage, along with lodging and food.  This called for women to be active in the war in support of the nation, at home or abroad.  There were many organizations that were based at the front, and some even gave women the opportunity to fight in the war.

            Many jobs were needed at the war front.  To increase the number of men serving in the army, women filled their previous jobs.  Women were permitted to serve as nurses, cooks, clerks, and maintenance workers.  “Ladies Emergency Committee of the Navy League.  ‘I was thirsty and ye gave me –.’ Feeds And Comforts Royal Navy Prisoners…Do Your Bit Now.”  This London-based organization poster shows a dialogue from a Navy soldier to a female worker.  “I was thirsty and ye gave me –.”  This shows the importance of female workers and the amount of help the provided the army.  They did small jobs that were in the best interest of the nation.  “Do Your Bit Now.” This encouraged women to take an active role in the war and to do their fair share in fighting for their nation.  Another poster promotes the Royal Air Force.  “Women! The Royal Air Force needs your help! Serve Your Country by Joining the W.R.A.F.  There is fit work for every Fit Woman.”  Women now had the opportunity to literally fight in the war.  All British women eighteen years or older were encouraged to do any sort of work that would aid the army and the nation as a whole. 

During World War I, women were essentially called to arms by serving many domestic jobs.  Women were called upon to contribute to the war effort, and to do their part in aid of the nation.  Jobs such as farmers and ammunition workers were offered to women at home.  Both at home and at the war front women were able to hold clerkship jobs and other necessary occupations that men previously had.  At the front, women were permitted to fight for the army, and care for and nurse the men fighting.  The work of women was crucial in the defense and aid of Great Britain during World War I.   More men were able to fight in the war because women were doing their previous jobs.  This work could be done at home or at the front which appealed to many women, and ultimately contributed to Britain’s success in the war.

Great Britains Call to Arms

A Womens Call to Arms

As Great Britain was about to enter the worlds First World War, there was an explosion of political posters that called the citizens of England to arms against the enemy. These posters depicted men fighting, which in turn gave the reader a sense of pride in their country. This was one way that the soldiers of Great Britain were called to arms. However, were women in Great Britain called to arms? In fact, they were. Propaganda posters, targeted at women, gave women opportunities to help their husbands win the war against the Germans. Due to the loss of men to the army, employers found themselves in need of women workers. Women were also needed to perform jobs in the army that would help the British win the war. Finally, in order to finance the war effort, propaganda posters urged women to by war bonds for their country. In these ways, women were called to arms by the British government to help defeat the Germans in the First World War.
As a result of the British entering World War I, there was a need of new soldiers to serve in the army. Therefore, men were forced to leave their jobs and families and fight in the British army. This put employers in a difficult position. Due to the decrease in the work force, business owners were forced to find new labor. This opened the door for women. Since women could not join the army, they had to find other ways to help out with the war. They also still needed money to care for their children so they were forced to try to find jobs.



This primary source poster from Great Britain depicts a soldier leaving his job to his wife. The caption underneath the photo says “I leave the land to you”. This gives women the feeling that it is their duty to take care of their husband’s job while he is off fighting in the war. This is one way how women were called to arms in the war.



This second primary source photo is a flyer that calls for 10,000 women to work on a farm. This is more evidence to show that women were needed to replace men in jobs due to the war.
In the actual war, men were needed for fighting on the front lines. This left other jobs within the army that needed to be filled. These positions were perfect for women who could not partake in the actual fighting. Nevertheless, they would still be helping the British win the war.



This poster from Great Britain during the war calls for women to work as clerks in the British Army. It says that they will be serving in France with the army. There is also a picture, which shows two women dressed in army clothing coming off a ship ready to do what they can do to help. This poster showed women that they could help their husbands win the war against the Germans.



This second poster shows a women acting as a nurse helping the wounded men from the war. This was another way that women could directly help with the war effort. The poster states “Do your bit NOW”. This calls women to arms and gets them to feel as if they are helping win the war.
To help finance the war, the British government introduced war bonds. War bonds were a type of savings bond used by a nation to help fund a war. They were sold by the British government and were used to help pay off the cost of a war. For women who could not work or help in the army, war bonds were the perfect way for women to help the war effort.



This primary source photo depicts Joan of Arc holding a sword. The caption reads “Joan of Arc saved France, save your country buy war savings certificates”. This poster calls for women to buy war bonds to help finance the war. As an incentive, the poster describes how Joan of Arc helped win a war for France. If Joan of Arc could do it, anyone could do it. Just buy a war bond and help your husband win the war. This was a great way for women at home feel as if they were taking part in the war effort.
World War I was a great opportunity for men to fight for their home country and defend their rights as citizens of Great Britain. Political posters called men to arms against the Germans and fight on the front lines. Women on the other hand, could not fight in the war but had to watch their husbands leave and possibly never return. How were women called to arms in during this time of war? Political posters described many ways in which women could help their husbands win the war. Due to the loss of men, employers were in need of women workers to help keep their businesses running. Women were desperately needed as clerks and nurses in the British army during the war. In these ways, women were called to arms to help their country defeat the Germans in the First World War.

Bibliography

Celeste, Eric. "A Summons to Comradship." 1999-2002. Institue of Museum and Library Services. .

Spielvogel, Jackson, J. Western Civilization. Sixth Edition. United States: Thomson Wadsworth, 2006.

American Posters in World War I

In early 20th century America, posters were spread widely in order to help the war efforts. Some proclaimed “Victory begins at home!”, and others, “Let us unite to Americanize America!” This time period also included the early years of the pledge of allegiance, which helped Americans find their true patriotism. The overall purpose of these posters and the pledge of allegiance were to help civilian citizens enhance their support of the war and of their troops. Struggles can be won with extra support from people uninvolved. Wars can be swung with the help of a country’s citizens, who can raise funds, send supplies, and exemplifying the values of the army. World War I was one of the first global wars that showed this idea that civilians could swing the war in their countries favor. America used propaganda as well as fact to help rally its civilian citizens in favor of their troops. The first and most important means they used were posters. Some posters attempted to convince civilians to enlist, while many similarly tried to strike at the citizens’ patriotism. Others were targeted at women and children, urging them to do whatever they could for the war. Finally, an overwhelming majority of the posters told people to save their food and dictating which were the best foods to eat for your country. American patriotism was likely the most prevalent in the time period of the first World War as evident in the posters.
Hundreds of posters were distributed in the 1910’s and 20’s throughout the United States of America. The posters that tried to rally citizens for the war were apparently set apart from the others. The first group of war posters had the goal of convincing men to enlist. With more and more recruits, the army grew larger and was therefore more formidable. For example, one poster depicts a gigantic Navy enlistee standing on water and proclaims, “Your country needs you now. The Navy: Our First line of defense…Enlist!” Another wanted people to join the “Pershing’s Crusaders”. Many of these propaganda posters used iconic figures, like the most well-known, Uncle Sam, or strong and powerful looking women dressed in American flags. For example, a vivid red, white, and blue poster shows “Uncle Sam’s Birthday” on July 4 and says that America has been going “142 years strong.” Uncle Sam was an influential figure, as was evident in the numerous posters bearing his name. Each of these posters depicting a different scene or asking for different things, all add up to the amazing patriotism shown by America in World War I.
As the enlisting posters were focused on the adult male population, other posters tried to target women and children. Although they could not enlist, women did their part in the war as dictated by many propaganda posters. Women were shown doing their part in posters including “The Stage Women’s War Relief” and “Serve Without Using a Gun”. An interesting poster depicted the famous French hero Joan of Arc in full armor with a sword and said, “Joan of Arc saved France…Women of America save your country.” Along with the women’s posters came the children’s posters. The main goal was for children to know their country and be patriotic, so that in future they would want to enlist. From one poster, it was apparent that from April 6, 1918, to April 6, 1919, America recognized “Children’s Year.” Clearly the idea was to stress that parents should be educating their children and instilling a sense of patriotism in them. Another poster showed a young American and stated, “Little Americans Do Your Bit…Save the wheat for our soldiers. Leave nothing on Your Plate.” Finally, one of the most clear posters declared, “A million boys behind a million fighters…Every American boy should enlist in the Victory Boys!” With the help of these posters, women and children of America were an influential factor in World War I.
The posters directed toward women and children usually stated things not about enlisting but about what they could do at home for the war. Of course, there were not many things that civilians could do in war effort. The main objective of civilians was to save food for the soldiers overseas. The large majority of the propaganda posters in America was focused on the production, preservation, and correct use of food. For example, in large print one poster simply states, “Don’t stop saving food.” Others advised citizens what to eat, like cottage cheese (so that less meat was eaten) or fruit and vegetable packs. Meanwhile, another poster claimed, “Food will win the War! You came here seeking freedom, now you must preserve it…WASTE NOTHING!” Each food poster had a seal at the bottom from the United States Food Federation. With the posters, the American government did a good job of administrating the distribution and preservation of food.
America, of course, was not the only country to use propaganda posters. However, the effectiveness of the American posters was likely not matched by any other World War I country. America’s posters were responsible for much of the enlistment in the army. They also included ideas and advice for women and children. Finally, the posters were helpful in controlling food distribution. Posters were the main instrument and tool by which America’s citizens were rallied.