Recruithing Poster 179th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment

During the American Civil War, war propaganda posters first appeared. The recruiting of troops became a major difficulty, and in order to attract volunteers, they advertised in publications months before the recruitment began. Civil War recruitment posters were designed to entice recruits with patriotic appeals, recruitment bonuses, and promises of well-equipped battalions. To recruit volunteers, they utilized patriotic symbols such as eagles, war scenes, or photos of George Washington and other national leaders. The posters were designed to appeal to a wide range of people. Some signs, however, were intended for a specific audience, such as those in German or French. American political posters have played an important part in political theater, developing a specific style as a result of their unique political framework. Prior to the invention of television, posters were used to establish a specific negative or favorable image of a candidate.