WWI Poster Analysis

USH 1 - WWI Poster Analysis

1.  Propaganda is an art used to promote an idea or to persuade a person to preform an action or duty.

2. Dictionary.com defines propaganda as: information, ideas, or rumors deliberately spread widely to help orharm a person, group, movement, institution, nation, etc

3-8.  Propaganda Pieces

Image 1: The image struck me as very formal and reminded me of heroism. The border and the man wielding a flag, while riding a horse reminded me of Teddy Roosevelt. The text seems to convey the idea that if I decided not to join the military, I was dishonoring my country, and that I would be a lesser man. The author intends on persuading men to enlist in the military. The author assumes that the viewer is male and of appropriate age. I believe that it is alright for the government to produce this poster. Without the poster, the amount of Americans fighting in WWI may have been less.

Image 2: The image is very invasive. It has an old man, Uncle Sam, dressed in patriotic clothing requesting for me to join the army. The author uses an older man to make the viewer feel obliged to respect him, in the time of the poster people held elders in society to higher standards and often looked up to them with respect. The author assumes that all viewers are male and are able to fight. This poster os still very famous today, it is one of the most successful propaganda pieces in American history and because of it many people joined the military.

Image 3: The image is very casual. It has a woman in uniform leisurely walking, hand in pocket. Her hair is blowing in the wind. The author uses a woman to seduce readers to join the Navy. It appeals to younger viewers that believe that joining the military will bring women into their lives. The artist assumes that the reader is male and most likely single. For the government to use tax dollars to produce this poster is sort of weird. Since it's goal is to seduce men into joining the military it is a weird basis to use tax dollars on, however I believe that it was successful and justified the governments reason for producing the poster.

Answer
1. c
2. b
3. d

Combination of 4 generalized theses for the Progressive Era

Within the Progressive Era many themes are relevant through the perspective of a 21st century student. The Progressive Era focused on the betterment and advancement of people through the reaction to dangers, the advent of new technology, and the idea of bettering general life. The government needed to choose when to intervene, like if something imposed on the health or wellbeing of a nation. The solution to some of the problems posed issues. With an array of new technology being invented, dangers presented themselves often.

Chapter 21 multiple choice questions

1. The Women's Trade Union did all of the following Except,
a. Bailed striking women out of jail
b. raised money to support strikes
c. went on hunger strikes
d. marched on picket lines
e. persuaded women to join unions

2. Reforms in Wisconsin were successful in approving all of the following Except,
a. Regulating railroads
b. Regulating taxation on imported goods
c. Instituted graduated taxes on inherited fortunes
d. Regulated the workplace and provided compensation
e. Regulating utilities

3. The NAACP accomplished all of the following Except,
a. Established a pattern of black resistance
b. Established itself as a leading black organization
c. Worked for the advancement of African Americans
d. Joined in violent race riots
e. Made up of notable African Americans

Thesis

Though the progressive era had many benefits to society, each reform bore negativity. With the Shirtwaist fire, the reform was successful, however the death was incomparable to any other similar event. The advent of White Castle revolutionized the food industry, however it brought with it terrible health deficits. The radio transformed communication, however without radio, WWI would be more localized and less costly. Finally the light bulb transformed the way that people lived. It expanded the way people worked and lived, but the price expanded the poverty gap and acted as a physical representation of the poverty gap.

Progressivism Newspaper Research

          Researching on the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory, I discovered that it was not just a horrible American tragedy, but from the ashes of the building, large scale reform began to take place, changing the way that factories operate. I examined newspaper articles about the fire, and its effects on ReadEx. Examining the articles I learned how atrocious this fire was. I had known about the fire, but the vividness of the articles surprised me. Learning about how the door was locked preventing escape, and how the fire escape was too weak to support the escapees, causing them to fall to their death, and how many women were taken by the fire, left unidentifiable to families and friends. 

 Collapsed Fire Escape

 Unrecognizable Bodies Being Inspected

Triangle Shirt Waist Building on Fire

          This story struck me. I can't believe that before the fire, there were few regulations on safety of the workers. I learned that after the fire, company leaders began to really focus on safety in the work area. Legislation was passed that made disasters like the Shirtwaist Factory impossible. The women were honored as heroes, and memorials were held in their place. The public was enthralled by the event. I learned that Women's Unions worked to ensure the victims receive pay for their sacrifice. The fire sparked massive changes in how companies operate. Fire drills became mandatory, and escape routes were redesigned. 

The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire is a great example of progressivism because you have a problem, fire killing hundreds of people, and from that problem reform begins. Overall the reforms were successful. 25 of the 28 bills submitted were passed, making the workplace safer. Civil lawsuits helped reimburse the families. The fire was an absolute tragedy. However, I believe that without the fire, the reforms and legislation would not have passed as successfully as they did. Socially people became more aware about fire safety as New York grew taller with buildings as some reached heights of over 760 feet. There was a problem, the fire, and by thinking about the future, and how something like this could be prevented, employers pushed for reform of factory safety. Bills were passed, and jobs were created to prevent disasters like the fire from happening. 

“Many Victims Still Unidentified"

March 27, 1911

Bellingham Herald

"Teaching Fire Safety in Factories"

June 23, 1913

Kansas City Star

"Lax Laws and Locked Doors"

March 27, 1911

Trenton Evening Times

Reflections

This quarter I have improved drastically. I am turning in the homework assignments, my analytical writing has improved, and my study and research habits have been changed. Last semester I would occasionally not turn in the reading questions. They were an easy assignment that could be completed in under 30 minutes. This quarter, I have tried my best to turn all of them in, with correct answers. I have grown as a writer. I stress less on the summarizing and focus my writing on the writers intentions. I study more for the tests. Most of the questions test on logic as well as material knowledge. If one does not know the material, it would be hard to answer a question asking them an "EXCEPT..." question. I believe that in order to be able to take an AP History course next year, I will need to continue on this path of growth to be able to funnel my efforts on completion.

Progressivism

1. I would define progress as moving forward towards a goal or idea.
2. The 1890's-1920's was the progressive era because it was a time of change, prohibition, suffrage, and the monitoring of monopolies; it was an era of reforms. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progressive_Era
3. Issues associated with the progressive era are, Cities were growing fast and accommodating for the living environment and providing jobs was a constant struggle. http://www.spodawg32.net/files/articles/ProgressiveEra.pdf
4.
Women's rights(voting)
Tax reforms
Prohibition
Direct election of Senators
Health
Education
All of these goals are targeting fixing issues with society that people believed that by fixing them, America would become a greater place.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progressive_Era#Women
5.
Women's rights(voting) 2.
Tax reforms 2.
Prohibition 4.
Direct election of Senators 2.
Health 1.
Education 1.