Abstract

This paper looks at some similarities and differences between propaganda art used by Germany and the United States during World War I. The first section briefly looks at aesthetic theory and addresses the philosophical question of whether war propaganda posters are, in fact, ‘art’ at all. Then images of various posters that were popular and widely published by both nations are shown and discussed. This paper concludes that while there are many thematic similarities between the posters used by both sides, there are also some important differences. The most obvious difference between the German and American propaganda art was in regard to the overall tone of the posters and the colors used in the presentation. The images used have been downloaded from a reputable website that depicts reproductions of the posters that were used during WW1. Understanding the nature of the propaganda used by each side can help shed light on the attitudes and sentiments towards the war held by political elites and citizens alike.

Highlights

  • World War I saw a major shift in the way warfare was carried out at many different levels

  • While the war began with similar technology and military tactics as utilized in 19th century warfare, by the end of the war, telephones, wireless communications, armored tanks, and even airplanes would be utilized by all sides involved. (Hartcup, 1988) In regards to the harsh realities of the new mechanized warfare of World War I, Ernst Jünger’s monumental literary effort, Storm of Steel, explains the confusion and fear of those troops in his battalion after their first time being attacked; War had shown its claws, and stripped off its mask of cosiness [sic]

  • The function of art has been debated amongst cultural critics and scholars pre-dating

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Summary

Introduction

World War I saw a major shift in the way warfare was carried out at many different levels. (Hartcup, 1988) In regards to the harsh realities of the new mechanized warfare of World War I, Ernst Jünger’s monumental literary effort, Storm of Steel, explains the confusion and fear of those troops in his battalion after their first time being attacked; War had shown its claws, and stripped off its mask of cosiness [sic]. It was all so strange, so impersonal. According to Chambers, The function of posters was to inform, instruct, or suggest new ways of looking at the war. According to Doug Kellner, The term “Western Marxism” was first used by Soviet Communists to

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