trenches 'Destroy_this_mad_brute'_WWI_propaganda_poster_(US_version)be patriotic

 

Why do men fight? What sways them to take up arms and fight in a foreign country thousands of miles away from home? It would be irresponsible to speak for every individual soldier but it is certain that propaganda posters and music played a vital role in inspiring and persuading men to join the struggle. To not fight as a man was to let down your country and if you were a female you had to do everything in your power to support those who were at the front.

Irving Berlin, 1917. Click the picture to view the object in the Spencer Collection!

Irving Berlin, 1917. Click the picture to view the object in the Spencer Collection!

 

Composed by Irving Berlin in 1917, For Your Country and My Country was created the year the United States entered WWI. The song appeals to the love of ones’ country and does so by directly addressing the listener of the song. The song claims that, “We know you love your country…now’s the time to show it; your Uncle Sammy needs you one and all.” This personalized request from Uncle Sam himself puts the responsibility and duty of protecting American interests directly on the listener.

 

Irving Berlin, 1917. Click the picture to view the object in the Spencer Collection!

Irving Berlin, 1917. Click the picture to view the object in the Spencer Collection!

 

Irving used similar themes in his 1917 song, Let’s All be Americans Now. However, instead of picking for a fight Berlin claims that, “Peace has always been our pray’r” and that “Your swore you would be true to your vow, let’s all be American now.” In this regard, Americans are not looking to cause trouble but are simple doing their duty and honoring their agreement to support their European friends.

 

Harry Tierney, 1917. Click the picture to view the object in the Spencer Collection!

Harry Tierney, 1917. Click the picture to view the object in the Spencer Collection!

 

Claiming a rather conspicuous title, It’s Time for Every Boy to be a Soldier is quite clear on what it believes in. Also created in 1917, this song employs a variety of patriotic themes in their lyrics to persuade men that they should fight for their country. It manages to cram in, “the Stars and Stripes around his breast,” “the noble words of Lincoln,” “the land that gave you birth,” and a plethora of other phrases. It’s no wonder so many men volunteered to fight after the American flag, America the country, and Lincoln himself all asked them to!

 

Martin J. O'Mahony, 1917. Click the picture to view the object in the Spencer Collection!

Martin J. O’Mahony, 1917. Click the picture to view the object in the Spencer Collection!

 

It is rare when a song about war is dedicated to an American President, but that is exactly what Martin J. O’Mahony had in mind while composing America’s Day: War Song in 1917. This song stresses the duty that every American should feel in their hearts when it comes to protecting the country that has given them so much. Reminiscent of John F. Kennedy’s line about asking what you can do for your country, this song claims that thousands may perish in the defense of “Columbia,” but a million more will cerebrate their sacrifice.

 

Irving Berlin, 1918. CLick the picture to view the object in the Spencer Collection!

Irving Berlin, 1918. Click the picture to view the object in the Spencer Collection!

 

America is one of the few countries in the world that feels morally obligated to become involved in a variety of conflicts across the globe. Americans take great pride in this sense of responsibility and the honor that is gained from assisting their allies. This song, written in the final year of WWI in 1918, commemorates the bond shared by French and American soldiers. The song claims that, “We were proud to stand side by side with you, [and] mighty proud to have died with you.” This perfectly emulates the American understanding of duty and honor; celebrating the bond gained by protecting an ally, and by serving their country.

 

Audio of Irving Berlin’s 1917 song, Let’s All be Americans Now

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