Modern History

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 3
Image of a Australian World War One recruiting poster, courtesy of the Australian War Memorial. (Copyright the A.W.M.)	Origin: An Australian recruitment poster. Motive: To encourage, or put pressure on, men of fighting age to enlist in the AIF. Audience: Men of fighting age, particularly those with a wife and children. It also appealed to women with small children to encourage their husbands to make the future safe for their children by going to the war. Content and Nature: The poster uses the following: personal appeal - you. mother with young child "God Bless Daddy". "45,000 Australian Fathers are Fighting." to encourage men to join the army by suggesting: women (and children) rely on them for protection. if they are fathers it would be shameful for them to ignore the plight of women and children. It promotes a sense of guilt in the viewer. the child would be disappointed in the father (Note: photograph of the father in military uniform). Other features to note: This poster would appeal to one's pride and patriotism but also the fear of shame and embarrassment.

Poster 3

'God Bless Daddy' poster

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

Origin: An Australian recruitment poster.

Motive: To encourage, or put pressure on, men of fighting age to enlist in the AIF.

Audience: Men of fighting age, particularly those with a wife and children. It also appealed to women with small children to encourage their husbands to make the future safe for their children by going to the war.

Content and Nature: The poster uses the following:
personal appeal - you.
mother with young child
"God Bless Daddy".
"45,000 Australian Fathers are Fighting."
to encourage men to join the army by suggesting:

women (and children) rely on them for protection.
if they are fathers it would be shameful for them to ignore the plight of women and children. It promotes a sense of guilt in the viewer.
the child would be disappointed in the father (Note: photograph of the father in military uniform).

Other features to note:
This poster would appeal to one's pride and patriotism but also the fear of shame and embarrassment.

Some questions to consider that are raised by this poster.

N.B. This poster is an Australian one and is useful but will not be part of the examinable material in the HSC.

What emotions does the poster appeal to?
Who does it appeal to in the Australian community?
How useful would this poster be in explaining methods used by the Australian Government to encourage volunteers for the AIF?