Persuasive Weapons: WWI Propaganda Posters is a publicly available exhibit featuring over a hundred examples of war propaganda housed at The University of Alabama's W.S. Hoole Special Collections. The digital project represents a year long collaboration between rhetoricians, historians, and archivists to animate the images and imagery associated with one of history’s most influential conflicts. Although digital copies of WWI propaganda posters are readily available, Persuasive Weapons takes a unique approach by emphasizing the verbal and visual rhetoric contained in each poster to garner public support for war. Visitors to the website will find the posters organized around three salient themes (Food Control, Fundraising, and Recruitment), and each image is accompanied with its own detailed description placing the poster in historical context and evaluating the deployment of rhetorical strategies. Following the centennial anniversary of the signing of the Armistice, Persuasive Weapons is a relevant resource for rhetorical scholars, historians, and citizens concerned about war and the ongoing influence of propaganda.

Visit the exhibit by clicking apps.lib.ua.edu/blogs/worldwariposters/