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Home > Modern History > Core Study > World War I and its Aftermath 1914 - 1919: A Source-based Study > Primary sources for the study of World War I: recruitment and propaganda posters

Poster 2
Image of a British World War One recruiting poster, courtesy of the Australian War Memorial. (Copyright the A.W.M.)	Origin: A British recruitment poster which would have come out before conscription was introduced in January 1916. Motive: To encourage men in Britain to enlist in the New Armies. Audience: Men who are eligible to enlist and who are in the right age group. This changed over time but ranged from 19-40 years. This poster would not be aimed at skilled workers in occupations required by the Government. Content and Nature: Scene of a home after it was destroyed by a German bombardment. Note: The illustration of a mother and child was used to promote anger against Germans and to secure sympathy for the British cause. This is emphasised in the writing on women and children killed or wounded by German raiders (second and third last lines). It is a strong personal appeal to men - Will you stand this? The poster could also have the impact of women putting subtle pressure on men to enlist. Other features to note: Large amount of writing which is unusual for posters of this kind. Also the smaller writing giving details of the bombardment would require the viewer to stop and read it. Other points to consider: Does this poster have deliberate bias? Why? What emotions does this poster appeal to?

Poster 2

Image of a British World War One recruiting poster, courtesy of the Australian War Memorial.
(Copyright the A.W.M.)

Origin: A British recruitment poster which would have come out before conscription was introduced in January 1916.

Motive: To encourage men in Britain to enlist in the New Armies.

Audience: Men who are eligible to enlist and who are in the right age group. This changed over time but ranged from 19-40 years. This poster would not be aimed at skilled workers in occupations required by the Government.

Content and Nature: Scene of a home after it was destroyed by a German bombardment.
Note: The illustration of a mother and child was used to promote anger against Germans and to secure sympathy for the British cause. This is emphasised in the writing on women and children killed or wounded by German raiders (second and third last lines).
It is a strong personal appeal to men -

Will you stand this?
The poster could also have the impact of women putting subtle pressure on men to enlist.

Other features to note:

Large amount of writing which is unusual for posters of this kind.
Also the smaller writing giving details of the bombardment would require the viewer to stop and read it.

Other points to consider:

Does this poster have deliberate bias? Why?
What emotions does this poster appeal to?

Some questions to consider that are raised by this poster.

What emotions does the poster appeal to?
What methods are used by this poster to encourage recruitment?
How useful would this poster be in explaining methods used by the British Government to encourage volunteers for the army?
How are the methods and messages used in Poster 2 different from Poster 1?