Pining for Patriotism
Images of the Revolutionary War in American bicentennial military propaganda posters
We...Marchd Before Them with Our Droms and Fifes Agoing...We Had Grand Musick.Smithsonian's National Museum of American History
For America's bicentennial, the U.S. Army released a series of posters designed to inspire patriotic citizens to join the army by reminding them of their noble cultural ancestors who did the same.
These posters were unique in that they used images of 3-D cards made from paper cutouts. This handmade appearance was likely meant to draw on memories of childhood crafts, and a nostalgia for "simpler times."
Even If I Destroy All the Men in North America, We Should Still Have to Conquer the Women.Smithsonian's National Museum of American History
At least one of these posters was aimed at women, with a quote to remind them of their own strength and power.
The figure on the card is also someone that many Americans would recognize: a woman who supposedly joined in the fighting at the Battle of Monmouth during the revolution, nicknamed "Molly Pitcher."
Both Officers and Men Behaved with a Degree of Gallantry That Did Them the Highest HonorSmithsonian's National Museum of American History
The quote on this poster is joined by a brief history lesson, in which the idea of the Purple Heart as the symbol of ultimate military achievement is waved tantalizingly in front of ambitious readers.
Above, in silhouette, the bust of George Washington lifts his head as if in recognition of some great deed. It is a call to citizens to join the army, and make their (country's) father proud!
If anyone in days to come...Smithsonian's National Museum of American History
Here, on a poster from the same time, we see the year the U.S. declared independence (1776) surrounded by thirteen stars representing the original colonies, as depicted on the early "Betsy Ross flag."
Just below and to the left of that, the image of a bald eagle, our national emblem and a symbol of strength and freedom.
However, further down and to the right, a quote: "Those women and kids are the enemy too!"
Even wedged between the previous patriotic symbols lies another disturbing quote: "I sent them a good boy and they made him a murderer."
This poster, depicting an outline of the U.S. composed of juxtaposed patriotic symbols and disheartening to alarming quotations, reflects what many Americans felt to be a darker side of America, as revealed by the Vietnam War. With this in mind, we may be able to better understand the images that the U.S. armed forces were trying to combat with their patriotic nostalgia.
