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Recruitment poster, Wake Up America!, WW1
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Recruitment poster, Wake Up America!, WW1
First World War recruitment poster, Wake Up America! Civilization Calls Every Man Woman and Child! Showing an allegorical female figure in a stars and stripes costume, asleep in a chair while a battle rages in the background. Date: 1917
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Media ID 14126233
© Robert Hunt Library/Mary Evans
Allegorical Allegory Asleep Calling Calls Civilisation Civilization Committee Flagg Mayor Montgomery Patriotism Pride Recruit Recruitment Sleep Sleeping Stars Stripes Symbolic Symbolism Wake
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Wake Up America!
EDITORS COMMENTS
: A Stirring Call to Service in the Wake of World War I This evocative recruitment poster, titled "Wake Up America!", dates back to 1917 during the height of the First World War. The powerful image, created by renowned American artist James Montgomery Flagg, is a poignant reminder of the patriotic fervor and sense of duty that swept across the United States as the nation prepared to join the global conflict. The central figure in the poster is an allegorical representation of America, depicted as a woman dressed in a stars and stripes costume, symbolizing the nation's pride and identity. She is shown asleep in a chair, oblivious to the chaos and destruction unfolding in the background. The battlefield, awash in red, blue, and white, is a stark contrast to the peaceful domesticity of the woman's surroundings. The caption beneath the image reads, "Civilization Calls Every Man, Woman and Child!" – a clarion call to action that underscores the importance of unity and sacrifice in times of crisis. The image of a sleeping America, surrounded by the chaos of war, serves as a powerful reminder of the need for vigilance and action in the face of global turmoil. The poster was produced by a local committee, likely at the behest of Mayor or other civic leaders, to encourage enlistment and support for the war effort. The symbolism and allegory employed in the image were designed to tap into the deep well of patriotic sentiment that existed in America at the time, and to inspire a sense of duty and pride in the face of the global conflict. Today, this iconic image stands as a testament to the power of art and symbolism in shaping public opinion and galvanizing support for a cause. It is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by generations past, and a reminder of the enduring spirit of patriotism and pride that continues to define the American people.
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