History with its flickering lamp stumbles along the trail of the past, trying to reconstruct its scenes, to revive its echoes, and kindle with pale gleams the passion of former days. ~Winston Churchill

06 January, 2012

Reasons to Enlist

World War One, of course, had casualty rates that exceeded those of any past war by a huge factor, so all the countries involved had a constant need for new recruits. To get them, propagandists/poster artists used every tactic possible, no matter how irrelevant or even false. Here are just a few. 



Guilt. Source



Nobility and friendship. Source



It's exciting. Source



You're fighting for liberty (er...yeah...). Source



Veterans would go if they could, so it must be worthwhile. Source



Sexy girls. Source



More sexual innuendo... Source



If you're not with us, you're not one of us. Source



Be a man. Source



Actually bringing up the obscure treaty that started it. Source



Patriotism (even when irrelevant, no one was threatening Scotland). Source



Your sports heroes are doing it. Source



It beats getting killed in an air raid. Source



Patriotism, again, with a twist (Irish independence was a big deal at the time) Source



You'll be happy! [I'm not sure how the originators of this one slept at night, honestly]. Source



Guilt from women. Source



Historical/cultural appeal. Source



It is Serious. Source



Appeal to Empire (also, fans of the Lion King). Source



Selective quoting of national heroes. Source



Sign up to avoid being drafted. Source



You'll like it! (also, why not?). Source




No wonder everyone ended up so cynical and disillusioned. 

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