Final answer:
During World War I, countries used propaganda posters to garner support for the war effort, urging civilians to financially support through war bonds and other means. These campaigns encompassed various media forms and were part of the largest advertising and public relations push of that era, underlining the role of propaganda in securing the nation's engagement in the war.
Step-by-step explanation:
Propaganda posters were used by many countries during World War I to promote support for the war effort. These posters were a critical part of the government's effort to engage the entire society in the war effort. They depicted the war as a moral struggle and urged citizens to contribute financially through war bonds or to become 'citizen soldiers' taking up jobs that would assist in the war effort.
The propaganda effort was extensive, encompassing various forms of media including newsreels, which were early forms of motion pictures used to communicate messages. This was part of the largest advertising and public relations campaign in history at that time, indicating the importance of propaganda in shaping public opinion and ensuring adequate supplies for the military by promoting rationing and frugality as patriotic duties.
Furthermore, World War I was a conflict that involved full mobilization of societies far beyond the battlefield, with civilian populations facing rationing, price controls, and the need to sacrifice in ways similar to the soldiers on the front. To this end, the government orchestrated massive propaganda campaigns linking everyday efforts at home to the national war effort and patriotism.