World War I Propaganda - Then and Now

World War I Poster
Illustrating Total War

This poster is a perfect example of the propaganda spread by the different governments during World War I. "Total War" became an important part of World War I because the war itself depended on it. The people ultimately determined how the war went... they could make it easy or hard for the government. Therefore, the government would distribute posters, such as this one, to try and gain the support of the people.
This poster in particular really caught my attention. For one, the slogan "Sow the Seeds of Victory" is a great example of total war propaganda. It's not only attention-grabbing, but it targets the citizen's sense of patriotism. The beautiful "Lady Liberty" in her flowing patriotic dress is meant to stir any patriot's heart and move them to help with the cause, just as she is doing. As she sows her seeds for the war, she expects all other good, patriotic citizens to do the same so that they too may fulfill their duty to their country.
This is the definition of Total War, and World War I was really the first war to present itself as a total war. Since then, many have tried to gain the support of the people both prior to and during a war. World War II was probably the most effective at doing this, especially in America. Other wars, be they in Europe, the Americas, or the Middle East, also try to follow this same principle of total war. Generally, the more support a government has, the better their soldiers fare. Applying this same principle to today, perhaps America's current War on Terror would not only be more popular, but would have a more positive and quicker outcome.

The Shot That Rang Throughout Europe - Connection Across Time

What I find most fascinating about World War I has nothing to do with the fighting, with alliances, or even with the faulty Treaty of Versailles. What I feel is the most unbelievable thing about World War I is the way it began: with one small, misguided bomb and two bullets from a single pistol. As if this doesn't seem insignificant enough to spark a global war, consider the fact that these were the doings of 5 college students, 3 of whom were too scared to do anything, and one of whom wasn't even intelligent enough to successfully commit suicide.
On one hand, this event could easily be named the single greatest event of the 20th century... which I'm certain it has before. Just imagine, the one fatal gunshot that killed Archduke Franz Ferdinand is what not only set off World War I, but is also the origin of just about every war since then. For example, World War II was a direct result of World War I and the Treaty of Versailles. Also, the wars that have taken place in the Middle East, (i.e. the Gulf War and the current War on Terror), are all results of the Treaty of Versailles, and the mess that it created. If not for the actions of those five college boys, Gavrilo Princip in particular, our world today would not be the same. Perhaps it would even be a better world.
On the other hand, I'm not entirely sure this event should ever be associated with the word "great". This assassination could be at best described as a complete and utter mess. All things considered, it really should not take more than one grown man to assassinate the Archduke and his wife, let alone five grown men. This was a poorly planned, and even more poorly executed assassination, and it was sheer luck that Princip was able to shoot Ferdinand and his wife. As if the fact that three of the men chickened out isn't enough of an insult to the assassination and all those associated with it, Cabrinovic's bombing attempt was atrocious, as was his failed suicide. If anyone should be given credit for the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, it should be the driver of their car, for taking the wrong route to the hospital.
However, whether the assassination is viewed as the most influential moment of the 20th century or as a lucky break matters not. All that matters is that this is the event that sparked the Great War, that this is the event that all other wars since then can be traced back to, and that this event is in more than one way both historic and fascinating.

Art From the Front Lines - Paul Nash

"We are Making a New World" (1918)
Paul Nash - Official War Artist

Here is a painting by Paul Nash that represents "no man's land". "No man's land" was the area between enemy trenches in World War I. Oftentimes, this was the scariest part of the war because there was literally no protection from enemy fire. Therefore, most of the deaths occurred here when using trench warfare.
From this painting, one can see that this was a dismal, depressing place straight out of a horror movie. Nash was obviously influenced by this as he experienced the trenches for himself in 1917 after he enlisted in the Artists' Rifles, a volunteer regiment of the British Army. A few months later, Nash fell into one of the trenches and broke a rib, needing to return home to heal. It was during this recuperating period that he worked on his pieces from the front lines, including this piece.
This piece represents the horrors of trench warfare on the front lines of the Western front where he was deployed. The entire landscape is barren and dead, with nothing but what appear to be stumps of trees and a pock-marked field, a result of countless hours of fire on each side. One can see the sun peeking through the clouds and smoke over the mountains, symbolizing a few things.
The sun can represent a beacon of hope, lighting the way to the end of war. It shines over "no man's land", shedding light over a shadowy wasteland. But as this sun can represent hope for a brighter future, it shows the ugliness of the war at the same time. It lights up "no man's land" so everyone can see what destruction has taken place there. While previously in shadow, the shockingly corpse-like trees are now visible, and the evils of the Great War are now illuminated. All of humanity can now see the dead trees grasping at the air like a dead man's fingers, and they can see war for what it really is: death and destruction, not glory and heroism.
After returning home from the war, Nash made it his mission to educate the citizens of the world on what the war really was like. He did this through his paintings from the front lines, doing a great service to the world.