State Historical Society of Iowa

"Wake Up, America," 1917

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Courtesy of Library of Congress, Flagg, James Montgomery, "Wake up America! Civilization calls every man, woman and child!" 1917

Description

This poster shows a woman dressed in stars and stripes, and symbolizes a sleeping America. After two and a half years of neutrality, the United States entered World War I on April 6, 1917. James Montgomery Flagg created this poster, which was featured in "Wake Up, America" Day in New York City just 13 days later on April 19, 1917. Actress Mary Arthur was Flagg's model for Columbia, who is a personification of Liberty and America. The woman on the print was shown asleep, wearing patriotic stars and stripes and a Phrygian cap — a symbol of freedom since Roman times. While she sleeps against a fluted column, another visual reference to western classical antiquity and civilization, sinister storm clouds gather in the background. Prior to the US entry events such as the sinking of the Lusitania in 1915 killing 120 US citizens, the restarting of unrestricted submarine warfare, and attempts to engage Mexico had shifted public opinion.

Transcript of "Wake Up, America" Illustration

Source Dependent Questions

  • How does this source provide evidence about American ideals? How does the artist show the U.S. not meeting these ideals through neutrality?
  • How does the tone of this poster differ from the Watch Your Step Cartoon? How did the time period influence this difference? How did the purpose of the source influence this difference?
  • Compare this poster to the cartoon by James Flagg, what events that occurred prior to the U.S. involvement in World War I elicited this response? How might the historical context have affected its content?

Citation Information

Flagg, James Montgomery, "Wake Up, America! Civilization Calls Every Man, Woman and Child!" 1917. Courtesy of Library of Congress Courtesy of Library of Congress