Compelling evidence

Student activities

Task no. 1

Recruit recruit recruit

Look at the wartime recruitment posters from the collections of the State Library, below. Answer the following questions (in your responses, consider the use of stereotypes, allegorical imagery, well-known figures, caricature and racism):

  • What is the purpose of these posters? 
  • What techniques are used to achieve this goal? 
  • What broad categories do the posters fall into in terms of the types of appeals made?
  • How effective do you think each of the posters would have been and why? 

Design your own recruitment poster that aligns with one of the broad categories identified above.

6. Australia has promised Britain 50,000 more men .... / Syng, Adelaide,
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7. "Get into Khaki" We are doing our bit / H. M. Burton; W. A. Gullick, Govt Printer, Sydney, 1914-1918
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11. Shout it out from the House-tops, we, 1914-1918
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12. Defend your homes, your women and children, Enlist! Now! / J. S. Watkins; W. A. Gullick, Govt Printer, Sydney, 1914-1918
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14. "Get a move on old man!" / Harry J. Weston; W. A. Gullick, Govt Printer, Sydney, 1914-1918
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16. Honor the Anzacs, become an Anzac recruit / Harry J. Weston; W. A. Gullick, Govt Printer, Sydney, 1914-1918
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17. "Were you there then?" / Harry J. Weston; W. A. Gullick, Govt Printer, Sydney, 1914-1918
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18. "We took the Hill, come and help us keep it!" / Harry J. Weston; W. A. Gullick, Govt Printer, Sydney, 1914-1918
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20. Enlist, by staying at home you are giving your approval to this kind of thing / W. A. Gullick, Govt Printer, Sydney, 1914-1918
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21. Protect our women and children, join the Australian Army / W. A. Gullick, Govt Printer, Sydney,
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Shackleton's call to Australia! [Album view], 1914-1918
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FL3541569, 1915
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FL3541573, 1915
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FL3541574, 1915
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FL3541575, 1915
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FL3541577, 1915
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FL3541578, 1915
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FL3541579, 1915
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FL3541586, 1915
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FL3541588, 1915
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FL3541592, 1915
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FL3541600, 1915
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FL3541605, 1915
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FL3541609, 1915
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FL3541612, 1915
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