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 5
An Australian World War One recruiting image, courtesy of the Australian War Memorial. (Copyright the A.W.M.)	Origin: Australia - it is an image used in the conscription campaigns of 1916 and 1917. It appears to be more pro-conscription than enlistment because of the words "promised Britain 50,000 more men". Motive: Either supporting conscription (1916 or 1917) or enlistment. It could be aimed at supporting both so that the Australian Government could keep the promise it made to Britain early in the war. Audience: Wider audience than just eligible men in Australia but to men and women of all age groups. Content and Nature: Symbol - kangaroo (Does it add to the impact of the image?) Personal appeal: YOU. 50,000 in large print to emphasise the urgency of raising this number of men. Other features to note: If this is a poster and not an advertising leaflet or perhaps an advertisement on a matchbox then it is a little unusual in that it is horizontal in orientation rather than vertical like all of the previous examples.

Poster 5

An Australian World War One recruiting image, courtesy of the Australian War Memorial.
(Copyright the A.W.M.)

Origin: Australia - it is an image used in the conscription campaigns of 1916 and 1917. It appears to be more pro-conscription than enlistment because of the words "promised Britain 50,000 more men".

Motive: Either supporting conscription (1916 or 1917) or enlistment. It could be aimed at supporting both so that the Australian Government could keep the promise it made to Britain early in the war.

Audience: Wider audience than just eligible men in Australia but to men and women of all age groups.

Content and Nature:

Symbol - kangaroo (Does it add to the impact of the image?)
Personal appeal: YOU.
50,000 in large print to emphasise the urgency of raising this number of men.

Other features to note:

If this is a poster and not an advertising leaflet or perhaps an advertisement on a matchbox then it is a little unusual in that it is horizontal in orientation rather than vertical like all of the previous examples.

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.

Does it have the initial impact of a lot of the other enlistment posters?
Does it appeal to our national pride that, we as Australians, should keep our promise to Britain?
How useful would this poster be in explaining methods used by the Australian Government to encourage volunteers for the AIF or voters to vote for the conscription referendum?