By: Harry Hopps, 1917

Description:

This World War I enlistment poster uses violent imagery to depict Germany as a monstrous ape threatening American shores. The figure holds a bloodied club labeled “Kultur” and carries a half-naked woman, symbolizing innocence and victimhood. The gorilla wears a spiked Prussian helmet marked “Militarism,” making Germany seem animalistic and barbaric.

Analysis:

Unlike later WWII propaganda that emphasized unity and shared sacrifice, this poster plays on fear and masculinity. It calls men to protect their country through violent action, suggesting that to do otherwise is cowardly. As historian Evan Caris writes, WWI posters “did not list the intricacies of the ententes and alliances… [they] frequently implied that the man who did not enlist was a coward” (Caris 9). Destroy This Mad Brute isn’t subtle—it equates being a man with fighting a monster, reinforcing the idea that real patriotism means violence and domination.

By: Howard Chandler Christy, 1917

Description: 

Rendered in soft watercolor tones, the poster shows a smiling young woman in a sailor’s blouse and hat, tugging playfully at her collar as if to step into a man’s uniform. Above her, the headline “GEE!! I WISH I WERE A MAN” is in a hand‑lettered black type; to the right, “I’D JOIN THE NAVY” is set in a taller, blue lettering. Below, a block of blue capitals urges: “BE A MAN AND DO IT – UNITED STATES NAVY RECRUITING STATION.” A thin blue border frames the poster against the pale cream background.

Analysis:

This recruitment poster employs a gendered appeal to masculinity to motivate men to enlist. By showing a young woman in a sailor's uniform expressing her desire to join the Navy (something women generally couldn't do in combat roles during WWI), the poster creates a subtle sense of shame or challenge for male viewers. The message implies that even women want to serve, so men certainly should step up to their patriotic duty.

The casual slang "GEE!!" and conversational tone create an emotional appeal rather than a strictly patriotic one.  This poster reflects the early 20th century's approach that played on notions of masculinity and duty that were prevalent during the era.

By: Walker Lith. & Pub. Co., 1918

Description: 

The poster depicts Wilhelm II, who was the last German Emperor and King of Prussia, head as a spider web in a spider web. The large and bolded words "Don't talk Spies are Listening" evokes a sense of danger and fear from viewers and encourages them to be quiet regarding sensitive information. The beige coloring instills an eerie feeling feeling as well. 

Analysis: 

The poster's main message is to urge Americans to conceal secrets as enemy spies could be lurking anywhere. The spider symbolizes enemy spies and espionage. Spiders are surreptitious; they can trap their prey without them even realizing and hide in plain sight. Similar to a spider, a spy acts hidden, waiting for individuals to leak information. The web can also be seen as a web of secrets that metaphorically is spun when civilians talk freely without considering who may be listening. Finally, a spider's web is designed so it can trap prey leaving the prey defenseless, similar to secrets and intel, once it is leaked, it cannot be taken back.