This collection of World War I posters provides insight into wartime rhetoric on the homefront, as well as the way civilians adapted to the first world war. In addition to the textual content, the collection serves as a resource for examples of graphic design during the WWI. Some of the posters are for navy recruitment and demonstrate the U.S. military's stated goals and motivations to the public. Other posters are from the Red Cross and advocate for humanitarian aid to Europe and the Middle East. Many of the posters in the collection are to encourage the purchase of war bonds, and demonstrates how propaganda depicted America's mission as a virtuous cause. Finally, a large amount of posters are from the Department of Labor, the Department of Agriculture, and the Food Administration, as well as equivalent state-level offices in Connecticut. These posters encourage Americans to work diligently and to preserve food while reducing consumption. The daily efforts of ordinary citizens during the war can be seen through these messages from the government.
Connecticut's Archives Online