In the Spotlight: American World War One Posters

100 years ago, in April 1917, the American Congress voted to declare war on Germany, followed by a declaration of war against Austria-Hungary in December 1917.

Although keen to remain neutral and keep out of the war, America had started to build up its military forces as a defensive measure following the sinking of the Lusitana in 1915 by a German U-boat, killing 128 American citizens.

In 1917 German submarines resumed sinking ships crossing the Atlantic, including American merchant ships, and President Woodrow Wilson asked Congress to “make the world safe for democracy” by voting in favour of war.

Joining the war as an independent power, the U.S. provided supplies, raw materials and war loans, and sent soldiers to join the allied forces on the Western Front in 1918. Their involvement ultimately led to a victorious end to WW1 in November 1918.

At home, Americans were encouraged to help with the war effort by increasing the production of munitions and food supply to support the country and troops. A nation-wide propaganda campaign to educate and enforce a sense of patriotism across the whole population included speeches at public gatherings, news articles and the display of posters.

Most of these posters were torn down and destroyed after the war; those that did survive now form an important part of social history.

Here is our current collection of American World War One posters (click on the images for more information):

 

 

 

 

 

 

___

Visit our website at www.AntikBar.co.uk to browse all our original vintage posters from around the world (cinema, travel, advertising, sport, war, propaganda), or visit us at our gallery:

AntikBar – Original Vintage Posters
404 King’s Road, London SW10 0LJ

For more News & Events, images and updates, follow us on:

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AntikBar
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/AntikBar
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AntikBar.co.uk
WordPress: https://antikbarposters.wordpress.com/   

AntikBar is a Member of the International Vintage Poster Dealers’ Association (IVPDA), the London Art Deco Society (LADS) and The Association of Art and Antiques Dealers (LAPADA).

___