Historical briefing

During the First World War (1914–1918), governments used posters to encourage people to support the war effort. In Australia, posters urged men to enlist, encouraged people to buy war loans or raise funds, and promoted practical actions such as saving resources. Posters often used bold words, striking colours, symbols and emotional appeals—including duty, patriotism, fear or shame—to influence their audience. A poster is a source of evidence about the message its creators wanted people to receive; it does not necessarily show the whole story or everyone’s views.