State Historical Society of Iowa

"Go Over the Top with the Tank that will Win the War!" 1917

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Courtesy of Library of Congress, "Go Over the Top with the Tank that will Win the War!" 1917

Description

World War I altered the American economy, after three years of neutrality the US had to mobilize not only its armed forces but its economy. Production shifted from civilian goods to what was needed for the war effort. While the war progressed the War Industries Board, Food and Fuel Administrations regulated the economy through centralized price and production controls. However, given the limited time the United States was directly involved in the conflict the impact was minor compared to World War II. Posters like the one highlighted sought to connect work in war industries to patriotism and emphasize the need for these to run uninterrupted. During the war for Wilson's part he aligned himself with more conservative labor leaders like Samuel Gompers. This left more radical labor unions to become targets of government action during the war effort such as the I.W.W. led by Eugene V. Debs.

Source Dependent Questions

  • The propaganda poster places the factory owners and workers in the role of general and soldier to inspire solidarity in the war effort to defeat disloyalty. Why would this type of imagery appeal to American workers during the time period? What justification for government actions towards workers did the government try to promote?
  • How does the poster highlight the significance of American industries to the war effort? Use specific evidence from the poster. Why would the US government highlight this significance to the war effort? How does this source corroborate the government's belief that more radical unions need to be limited from the "Round them Up Cartoon" or Gompers' Speech?
  • According to the source, what American values are being upheld by business and labor supporting the war effort?

Citation Information

Phifer, Luther Claire. "Go Over the Top with the Tank that will Win the War!", 1917. Courtesy of Library of Congress Courtesy of Library of Congress

State Historical Society of Iowa

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