Final answer:
The 1917 poster by the U.S. Food Administration encouraged Americans to contribute to the war effort by eating less meat. This conservation measure helped ensure that there was ample food for soldiers during World War I.
Step-by-step explanation:
The poster produced by the U.S. Food Administration in 1917 during World War I asked Americans to contribute to the war effort by conserving food. Particularly, it encouraged eating less wheat and meat, which suggests that the correct answer to how this poster asks Americans to contribute to the war effort is d. eating less meat. This initiative would ensure that there was enough food available for soldiers. This type of conservation was part of the broader home front effort during the war, which also included rationing of various items, growing produce in victory gardens, and collecting materials like rubber and metal for recycling into war materials.
During World War II, similar efforts were made to support the war effort. The U.S. government promoted a culture of saving and rationing, with slogans like "Use It Up, Wear It Out, Make It Do, or Do Without," to help ensure that enough resources were available for the military. Citizens were encouraged to conserve resources, participate in rationing programs, purchase war bonds, and limit their consumption of various products. Eating less meat led not only to food conservation but also to other benefits like preserving biodiversity and saving energy.