CONTENT WARNING
Materials in the Library of Virginia’s collections contain historical terms, phrases, and images that are offensive to modern readers. These include demeaning and dehumanizing references to race, ethnicity, and nationality; enslaved or free status; physical and mental ability; and gender and sexual orientation.
Context
World War I brought about great shifts in American society. As the nation was gripped by war, the entire population mobilized to produce weapons and supplies for the troops. One way in which they supported the war effort was through the purchasing of war bonds.
The Department of the Treasury established the War Savings Organization to encourage people to buy several kinds of war stamps. The smallest denomination was a twenty-five cent stamp, which Americans could save in a book until they could trade the book in for a five-dollar bond. The federal government encouraged everyone in society to participate in collecting war stamps. Not only did it help fund the war effort, but it also kept citizens involved in supporting the war effort.
As part of national campaign for war stamps, posters like this one would have been seen across Virginia. In this instance, the poster was directed at a particular audience--children who could save their money to purchase the smallest denomination of stamp available. These posters might be found in post offices, stores, train stations, and in other public areas to ensure that they would be seen by a wide audience.
Citation: Boys and Girls! You can help your Uncle Sam, World War I Poster, 1918, Prints and Photographs, Special Collections, Library of Virginia.
See the Library's World War I Poster Collection at our Digital Collections Discovery page.
The Department of the Treasury established the War Savings Organization to encourage people to buy several kinds of war stamps. The smallest denomination was a twenty-five cent stamp, which Americans could save in a book until they could trade the book in for a five-dollar bond. The federal government encouraged everyone in society to participate in collecting war stamps. Not only did it help fund the war effort, but it also kept citizens involved in supporting the war effort.
As part of national campaign for war stamps, posters like this one would have been seen across Virginia. In this instance, the poster was directed at a particular audience--children who could save their money to purchase the smallest denomination of stamp available. These posters might be found in post offices, stores, train stations, and in other public areas to ensure that they would be seen by a wide audience.
Citation: Boys and Girls! You can help your Uncle Sam, World War I Poster, 1918, Prints and Photographs, Special Collections, Library of Virginia.
See the Library's World War I Poster Collection at our Digital Collections Discovery page.
Standards
Social Studies: USII.1, USII.4, USII.5, WHII.9, VUS.9
Art: 4.3, 5.3
Art: 4.3, 5.3
Suggested Questions
Preview Activity
Look at It: Look at the poster, what do you think is the message of this poster? Who is the intended audience?
Post Activities
Analyze: This poster reflects ideas about gender which are consistent with the World War I period, but which today we may find outdated. Specifically, Uncle Sam appears to have a very different relationship to the boy featured in the poster from that of the girl. What message do you think was being sent about gender roles? Why would this type of imagery be used in this type of poster?
Social Media Spin: Create a social media past, tweet, or short video describing the poster and why they were produced during World War I.
Current Connection: Posters were a popular way to encourage people to participate in the war effort. How do you feel about this poster and its message? Are there examples of how multimedia is used today to encouraged to support a national cause? List three and explain how they encourage people to support a national cause.
Look at It: Look at the poster, what do you think is the message of this poster? Who is the intended audience?
Post Activities
Analyze: This poster reflects ideas about gender which are consistent with the World War I period, but which today we may find outdated. Specifically, Uncle Sam appears to have a very different relationship to the boy featured in the poster from that of the girl. What message do you think was being sent about gender roles? Why would this type of imagery be used in this type of poster?
Social Media Spin: Create a social media past, tweet, or short video describing the poster and why they were produced during World War I.
Current Connection: Posters were a popular way to encourage people to participate in the war effort. How do you feel about this poster and its message? Are there examples of how multimedia is used today to encouraged to support a national cause? List three and explain how they encourage people to support a national cause.