Do Not Be Fooled

u0003_0004200_0000024
Title Do Not Be Fooled
Creator
Date 1917
Format 14 x 22 in
Description The United States Food Administration’s “Do Not Be Fooled By The Lies of the Enemy” is a text-dominant poster that attempts to dispel rumors related to governmental efforts to collect food for the war effort. The poster’s creation suggests that war opponents may have attempted to undermine public support for the war by claiming that the government was responsible for stealing the food of domestic citizens. The poster forcefully rejects the validity of such claims as the treasonous work of “the enemy,” and reminds viewers that hoarding of goods is prohibited. By placing the blame for these rumors on an unspecified “ENEMY,” this document allows individuals to label anyone critical of food conversation and the war as un-American. While the poster aims to set the record straight, the visual elements of the poster are not especially engaging, and would likely have struggled to compete with other posters for the attention of passing citizens.
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