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Propaganda Posters of World War One

Jigsaw activity

Subject(s): History, English

Age group(s): 12-14

Topic: World War One

EAL Nexus resource

Licence information | This resource is free to use for educational purposes. ©British Council 2014

Source | This resource was originally developed by Zdravka Davies and has been adapted by EAL Nexus.

AHow were men encouraged to join the army?Men were made to feel unmanly and cowardly for staying at home. They were influenced through persuasion, fear, guilt, confrontation and accusation. The posters were appealing to the men’s patriotism, reminding them that they had the duty of serving their God, king and country.

BHow were women used to encourage men to join the army?

Women were encouraged to pressurise their husbands, fathers, sons and brothers to join the army. The propaganda addressed the emotions of all women.

CHow were the Germans presented negatively?Posters showed the atrocities (cruel, violent acts) that the Germans were said to be committing in France and Belgium.

People were encouraged to fear that unless they were stopped, the Germans would invade Britain and commit atrocities against their families .

The posters exaggerated the hatred and fear of the Germans by making people think that they might attack their friends and families.

DHow were women encouraged to work as nurses, in factories, or join the Women’s land army?When the men joined the war, the women were needed to do their jobs. They started working in the factories producing weapons, ammunition (bullets, grenades, bombs) and uniforms needed for the soldiers. There was food shortage and women grew food for the people of Britain and the soldiers in the army. Thousands of men were injured at the Front and military hospitals needed more nurses.

EEncouraging everyone to do their bito All British citizens were encouraged to

work for the war effort

o People were given advice on how not to waste food by being self-sufficient, growing and preserving food.

o All were encouraged to invest in government bonds, which was a way of building the government funds.