Poor Richard's Almanac
Between 1732 and 1758, Benjamin Franklin edited one of the most popular publications in colonial America titled Poor Richard's Almanac. Franklin originally used Poor Richard's as, "a Vehicle for conveying Instruction among the common People…" and in 1918, the U.S. government looked to capture a similar spirit when they repurposed Poor Richard's to promote the Third Liberty Loan.
Image from the Historical Society of Pennsylvania's Digital Library.
The 1918 version of Poor Richard's used a similar strategy and motivated the common person to support the war effort.
"You are as much interested as anybody. Join the ranks of those who in their daily life and conversation are supporting their Government, their flag, and our boys who have offered their lives to protect it...Be 100% American."
It functioned as a patriotic appeal to fulfill one's obligation and defend the values and ideals secured by the nation's founders.
"To the cause of Liberty, our forefathers pledged 'their fortunes, and their sacred honor.' We have given our sons; shall we support them or sacrifice them?"
Not only did the publication reflect on the similarities with the past, but it also quoted the three most recent presidents for inspiration.
"Let the result be so impressive and emphatic that it will echo throughout the empire of our enemy as an index of what America intends to do to bring this war to a victorious conclusion."-- President Woodrow Wilson
But the publication did not stop at garnering patriotism. It perpetuated the xenophobia against Germans which @dduquette discussed in a post from a few weeks ago. The publication included various quotes from German teachings that would frighten a patriotic American.
"Expansion of our power, both East and West, if possible over seas also; political and military domination, combined indissolubly with economical expansion, this is our war aim."--The Six Associations of German Intellectuals.
Poor Richard's is just another example of propaganda used during the war. The government marketed various icons including Uncle Sam, the Liberty Bell, and the Statue of Liberty to keep the average person engaged and inspired. But what are some other examples of WWI propaganda?
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The original Richard (Poor Richard) Saunders, an invention (or adaptation) of Franklin, was known for his intelligent, witty reflections on life. I wonder if the authors of this 1918 version of Poor Richard crafted anything like a reasonable facsimile. Or did that Poor Richard morph into a patriotic Founding- Fatheresque icon?