WWI Nationalism


Remember Belgium propaganda poster, ca. 1918

Remember Belgium propaganda poster, ca. 1918
Item 102559   info
Maine Historical Society

Created as a promotional poster for the United States Fourth Liberty Loan campaign during World War I, the 'Remember Belgium' slogan refers to the German invasion of Belgium in 1914.

A neutral country, Belgium was invaded by Germany as an effective means of invading France. Belgian citizens were subject to forced labor, natural resources were depleted and war crimes committed on behalf of the German army. The atrocities in Belgium were collectively known as "The Rape of Belgium."

Reports of war crimes committed in Belgium were an effective propaganda tool used throughout the war. While the exaggeration of atrocities committed on both sides of World War I were commonplace, there is historic evidence to support Belgian claims against the German army.

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