TOW #2 - "Daddy, what did YOU do in the Great War?"

"Daddy, what did YOU do in the Great War?"

The British Government commissioned this poster as a form of propaganda to recruit men to the British Army in World War One. This was published in 1915, a time where Britain was struggling against Germany in the "Great War", and needed all the help they could get from their citizens. They needed a large land force to match Germany, so Propaganda was used to attract the intended audience, younger men. This can be seen because the man depicted in the image has two young children and also has a relatively youthful (and health) appearance. By having a child make the man consider his contributions to Britain's war efforts, it makes the man think about his choices, much like it should make the audience think about their choices, too. The piece plays on the audiences' pathos by guilting them. It makes them take into account their actions, and want to have grand stories of valor to tell their children. It is a truly powerful tool to persuade the audience to join the war, as it makes them consider ideas that they have not thought of before. The piece questions their honor, ensuing that if one does not join the war, they will be cowards that will be forever embarrassed, even around their children. This appeal to pathos is what makes the the piece so effective. It makes the reader think upon their actions, even if they recognize that this is a piece of propaganda, and it subconsciously threatens their egos. It would leave them thinking about it for a long time, and perhaps cause those who did not previously consider joining the military to do so. This image is an excellent example of how propaganda should work, because even those who can identify it as a tool used by the government are still greatly affected by it.