“Let us go forward together.” Isn’t that something we should all want? Unity. But how does it pertain to this specific poster?
This poster was released in 1940 during the time of World War II. It showcases a large image of Winston Churchill who was the Prime Minister of England at the time. Germany had invaded Poland and therefore England, as an ally of Poland, had become involved in WWII to fight with the Allied powers. In the background, you can see fighter jets and tanks. This illustrates England amping up and preparing for war.
Beneath Winston Churchill in large letters is the quote “Let Us Go Forward Together.” This direct quote from Churchill is calling all British citizens to rise up and work together in order to successfully be a part of this war. It’s summoning men to come fight, women to join in the workforce, and for overall complete unity. Churchill wants everyone to chip in and do their part as England enters WWII.
There is also a subtle message directed at the United States. The U.S. did not join WWII until 1941 after Pearl Harbor. This poster was put out in 1940, and England was an ally of the U.S. It was known that Churchill had been calling Roosevelt urging him to send troops to fight in the war to stop Hitler from conquering all of Europe. Roosevelt was hesitant due to the previous World War the U.S. had been in just 20 years prior. The United States was still suffering and facing repercussions from that war. However, Churchill (whose mother was an American) is indirectly pleading for the U.S. to come help and fight in this war.
This is a propaganda poster. There is bold typography to emphasize the message. The serif font is bold and easy to read from a distance. There is a clear call to action encouraging British citizens to contribute to the war effort in various ways. There is also an emotional appeal aimed to evoke patriotism and a sense of duty. There are symbols of strength and unity by showing the nation’s powerful leader, Prime Minister Winston Churchill. The overall theme of this poster is the need to fight.
I think something interesting about this poster is the side angle it has towards the U.S. It is very telling that Churchill’s mother was American because it gives him more of a connection to the U.S. While the history of this poster is known to be directed at the British, if you evaluate the poster more deeply you can see the double meaning.
#PropagandaArt #GraphicDesignHistory #WWIIBritain #LetUsGoForwardTogether
By: Sadye Stafford
