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World War 1 Propaganda Poster Project
Wartime Propaganda
In April 1917 Wilson formed the committee on Public
Information (CPI) to promote public backing for the
war, a critical task given the lack of a strong national
consensus on American participation. This
government propaganda agency, headed by the
journalist George Creel, acted as a magnet for
progressive reformers and muckraking journalists such
as Ida Tarbell. Professing lofty goals such as
educating citizens about democracy, promoting
national unity, Americanizing immigrants, and
breaking down the isolation of rural life, the committee
also indirectly acted as a nationalizing force by
promoting the development of a common ideology.
The CPI touched the life of practically every American
during World War I. It distributed 75 million pieces
of patriotic literature. At local movie theatres before
the feature presentation (which sometimes was a CPIsupported film such as The Hun Within or Pershing’s
Crusaders), a volunteer called a “four-minute man”
made a short speech supporting the war. Those speeches reached an audience estimated at more
than 300 million – three times the population of the United States at the time. But the CPI
sometimes went too far. In early 1918, for example, it encouraged speakers to use inflammatory
stories of alleged German atrocities, such as rapes and murders of innocent citizens, to build
support for the war effort.
Part of the job of any Social Studies student is to evaluate primary sources. In class we have
learned about the different types of propaganda and have also used our knowledge to interpret
World War 1 propaganda posters as well. Your task is to now apply the knowledge and create
an original World War 1 themed propaganda poster.
Directions:
Your task will be to create a World War I themed propaganda poster. Using what you have
learned from class, you must decorate the poster to be eye catching so that if a person were
walking down the street it would get their attention. The poster may utilize computer
applications, but the final product must be hand made. Create a rough sketch or design to be
evaluated prior to your creation, to make sure it is on the right track and appropriate for school.
Below is the grading rubric that will be used for the final poster.
WW1 Propaganda Poster Topics:
 Liberty Bonds which encouraged public support for the war effort.
 Food Administration created in August 1917 by Stanford University trained engineer
Herbert Hoover.
 War Industries Board – the central agency for mobilizing wartime industry.
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 American Federation of Labor – traded labor’s support of the war for a voice in
government policy, specifically a spot on the National Defense Advisory Commission.
You may focus specifically into the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), Teamsters,
or the International Ladies Garment Workers’ Union.
 Victory Gardens – also known as war gardens these were encouraged to be planted by
the national government so that individuals could provide their own fruits and vegetables
during a time of rationing during the war.
 United States Employment Service which placed 4 million workers in war jobs.
 National War Labor Board which existed for 18 months during WW1.
 Women and the war effort – how did women take advantage of the wartime
opportunities? How did they participate in the war?
On the back of each poster should be a mini report about your assigned topic. Your mini report
should include the following information:
 Who or what is your topic about? Create a report on it explaining the history of
your topic and the role it played in World War 1.
 An analysis of your own propaganda poster. You should clearly explain the
significance your slogan as well as why you included all of the images used.
This mini report should be between 2 and 3 full, well written paragraphs.
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Grading Rubric for Propaganda Poster
5
4
3
2
1
Score
Excellent
Above
Average Below
Needs
Received
Average
Average Attention
Message
The
message of
the poster
is clear.
The written
phrase and
visual
images are
relative to
one
another.
Any visual
elements on
the poster
* Images must be
drawn, painted, colored have been
created by
etc. by hand. A
hand.
computer printout of
an image glued onto the
poster will not be
accepted. For ideas on
working with images,
please make sure to
speak with us for help.
Illustrations
Historical Context
Historical
context is
included,
accurate,
and easy to
locate on
the poster.
The back of
your poster
contains a
typed report
of the topic
assigned to
you. You
must research
your topic and
write an
approximately
2 paragraph
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long report of
your topic.
GUM errors are not
present.
- Grammatical
- Usage
- Mechanical
GUM
errors are
not present.
Directions Followed
Preliminary
sketch and
answers to
guiding
questions
were
handed in.
Any
comments
written
were given
thought in
the final
product.
MLA Citation
Sources
used for
your
research
have been
properly
cited and
typed onto
the back of
your
propaganda
poster.
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Preliminary Items to be handed in prior to the creation of your propaganda poster:
1. Rough sketch of poster.
2. Answers to your guiding questions.
3. Rough draft of your topic summary.
Draw a rough sketch of your poster in this box.
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Guiding Questions:
1. What topic will your poster be about?
2. Describe the poster you sketched in your own words.
3. What is this poster trying to get you to do?
4. How would this poster support the war efforts?
5. What historical facts are covered in this poster? What historical knowledge would the
viewer need to fully understand your poster? Explain this part as thoroughly as possible.