This Is Propaganda Trivia Quiz

Answer: Say 'Go'

The little group hug each other and watch a column of soldiers march away. This British poster from 1914 shows the willingness, at least early in the First World War, of wives and mothers to have their men enlist and avoid the potential shame of not having "done their bit".

The distribution of white feathers to men of military age not in uniform is another manifestation of this sentiment.

Answer: Are Fighting

"Why Aren't You?" is the final line of this Canadian recruiting poster from 1917, by which time the horrors of trench warfare had become known. The propagandist appeals to the reader's pride and (probable) desire not to be seen as a coward or less of a man than his friends.

Answer: Buy Liberty Bonds

The statue is the Statue of Liberty and she is surrounded by Americans of all walks of life, clutching pieces of paper - bonds - in their hands. They all stand behind two helmeted soldiers in a barb-wire protected trench. Miss Liberty frequently makes an appearance in American posters in both wars, though this is from the first such conflict.

Answer: Waste Bread

The poster goes on to encourage us to save two slices every day to help defeat the U-boat in this British poster from 1917. A variation shows a woman baker alone, with the admonition to save two "thick" slices daily. Shortages of certain foodstuffs as a result of the success of German submarines against merchant shipping in the Atlantic are the reason for offering such advice.

Answer: Direct Hit

An explosion is depicted close to the submarine's conning tower. The poster, from 1918, goes on to promise volunteers that they won't be transferred to the Army or Navy without their consent. The age range for potential recruits is large - from 18 to 50 - as is the declared rate of pay. Presumably the latter depends on the job the volunteer ends up performing.

Answer: Keep Mum

This catchphrase also appears on other British posters of the Second World War, but the message remains the same - "Don't talk out of turn" or "Don't gossip". The phrase makes use of two distinct meanings of the word "Mum". To keep mum is to be quiet about something, or to keep a secret. "Mum" is the familiar British word for "Mother" (as opposed to the American "Mom").

The poster is saying that Dad keeps Mum both in the sense of caring for the mother of his children, and also in the sense that he keeps his mouth shut about important things, that might prove costly if divulged to the wrong people.

Answer: Loose Lips

This American poster showing a sinking ship is the equivalent of the British "Keep Mum" posters and is meant to convey the same warning. "Careless Talk Costs Lives" is another phrase from similar British propaganda campaigns during WWII.

Answer: Someone Talked

This American poster from 1942 drives home the reason for avoiding careless talk quite forcefully. If the image of a sinking ship isn't enough, perhaps the accusing eyes and pointing finger of a young man will do the job.

Answer: Mothers

The evacuation of children from the probable target of the Luftwaffe is what is being encouraged by this and other similar posters from the early part of WWII. Although many children do leave the city for the comparative safety of the countryside, others do not. Still others return during the "Phoney War" of the first winter of the conflict.

Answer: Kitchen Waste

This British WWII poster goes on to describe how the thrifty homemaker should keep the waste free of glass and other contaminants, promises that the local council will pick up the waste and notes that it is also good for feeding poultry. Another poster shows several pigs saying "Thanks" and yet another features a group of chickens instead.

The message is even 'waste' need not be wasted.