Spirit of 17: The American Revolution in the Great War
How the American Revolution shaped morale, identity, and participation during World War I
The Spirit of '17 '76 WWI Poster (1917) by IckesNational WWI Museum and Memorial
Spirit of '17
American entry to World War I in 1917 saw Americans connecting the conflict to Revolutionary ideals. The "spirit of '76" was revived to connect the conflict to liberty, duty and sacrifice, framing it as expression of national values, not simply a foreign conflict.
Printed in 1917, this Liberty Bond poster urged Americans to purchase war bonds. Revolutionary War imagery linked past and present struggles for freedom, reinforcing the idea WWI continued the nation's long fight for liberty and independence.
"Wake Up, America!" WWI Sheet Music Cover (c. 1916-1917) by George Graff, Jr. and Jack GlogauNational WWI Museum and Memorial
Revolutionary Recruitment
During WWI, federal, state and local campaigns used Revolutionary imagery to promote enlistment, preparedness and war bonds. Familiar symbols helped translate the purpose and scale of the war to a broad American public.
Written in 1916, as Americans debated war, this sheet music invoked George Washington and Valley Forge. Days after U.S. entry in 1917, New York City marked April 19 - the anniversary of Lexington and Concord - as “Wake Up, America! Day” to rally public support for the war.
Explore the sheet music for "Wake Up, America", and listen to a recording.
“The Minutemen of Today”
The Minuteman – long a symbol of the citizen-soldier – reemerged in WWI. Recruitment posters linked Revolutionary ideals of service to modern military preparedness, reinforcing readiness while also revealing social tensions over neutrality.
“Kościuszko and Pulawski”
Printed in Polish, this poster encourages immigrants to conserve food by honoring Tadeusz Kościuszko and Casimir Pulaski, both of whom fought for American independence. The message echoed Revolutionary ideals of sacrifice and collective responsibility in support of Allied forces.
Under the leadership of Herbert Hoover, the U.S. Food Administration promoted voluntary conservation through campaigns such as “meatless” and “wheatless” days. These efforts emphasized ideals of civic duty.
“Liberty Bell (It’s Time to Ring Again)”
This popular song placed the Liberty Bell alongside Revolutionary figures like Betsy Ross. By transforming historic symbols into modern calls to action, this 1918 music reinforced ideals of freedom and unity - along with national resolve - during World War I.
Explore the sheet music for “Liberty Bell (It’s Time to Ring Again)” and listen to a recording.
Inspired by The Spirit of '76 WWI Periodical Cover (May 20, 1919) by UnknownNational WWI Museum and Memorial
Getting into the Spirit…
Archibald Willard’s 1876 painting “The Spirit of 76" – with fife player, drummer, and flag bearer – shaped how Americans visualized patriotism during WWI. Artists used its imagery to connect Revolutionary pride with modern service, reinforcing continuity of past and present struggles.
Variations on The Spirit of '76 appeared across posters, prints, and photographs during WWI. By updating the familiar figures with modern uniforms and symbols, artists made Revolutionary memory visible in a contemporary war.
Click on each image to learn more.
The Old Navy WWI Ship Photograph (c. 1914-1919) by E. Muller Jr.National WWI Museum and Memorial
Spirit takes to the High Seas…
Revolutionary memory also shaped the U.S. Navy during WWI. Ships commissioned in 1917 and 1918 were often named for Continental Naval heroes, linking modern naval warfare to early struggles for independence and grounding new missions in national tradition and valor.
Click on each image to learn more.
Laying Wreaths at Lafayette's Statue Photograph taken after WWI (Unknown) by UnknownNational WWI Museum and Memorial
“Lafayette, we are here!”
As U.S. troops reached France the summer of 1917, they honored the Marquis de Lafayette - French hero of American independence. At his grave in Paris, Col. Charles Stanton declared, "Lafayette, we are here!" affirming a historic alliance and shared ideals of liberty and sacrifice.
Ceremonies, music and imagery honoring Lafayette and France appeared throughout the war. By recalling Revolutionary cooperation and alliance between France and the United States, these works and efforts framed World War I as the continuation of a shared democratic cause.
Click on each image to learn more.
“The American Marseillaise”
Composed by Felix Schreiber between 1917 and 1918, “The American Marseillaise” was “adapted to the air of the French Marseillaise.” Numerous versions of the famed French Marseillaise would be published throughout the American involvement in the war and into 1919.
Explore the sheet music for “The American Marseillaise”.
Revolutionary Ideals
During World War I, Revolutionary imagery gave Americans a shared language for understanding sacrifice, duty, and national purpose. The "Spirit of '17" was not a return to 1776, but a cultural inheritance shaping how the nation mobilized, remembered and participated in war.
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