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This 1918 poster serves as an artifact of the United War Work Campaign, a collaborative effort by multiple organizations to raise funds in support of American troops after the cessation of hostilities in World War I. It is a visual record of the collective American home-front endeavor to maintain troop morale post-armistice, with an established target of $170,500,000.
The context of this poster aligns with the historical moment when the United States, transitioning from war to peace, recognized the continued needs of its servicemen abroad. The represented organizations, including the YMCA, YWCA, National Catholic War Council-Knights of Columbus, Jewish Welfare Board, War Camp Community Service, American Library Association, and the Salvation Army, reflect the diverse societal response to a unifying national purpose. The collaboration of these groups marks a significant coordination of efforts for social welfare during a period of adjustment and recovery.
The design employs the simplicity of the era's graphic art, utilizing bold numerals and a limited color palette to immediately convey its message. The repeated "170" motif, correlating with the monetary goal, is a subtle yet effective design choice, emphasizing the campaign's unity and ambition without superfluous embellishment.
This piece embodies an earnest initiative, indicative of the era's approach to social responsibility and community support for the military. As a historical document, it possesses value for its representation of American civil-society's role in post-war relief efforts and the pioneering spirit of inter-organizational cooperation. It provides a window into the values and concerns of early 20th-century America, offering insight into the period's societal fabric for historians and collectors alike.
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