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.

Halt the Hun, World War 1 poster, 1918

Halt the Hun, World War 1 poster, 1918
Item 15106   info
Maine Historical Society

A commonly used derogatory name for Germans during the first World War, Hun references often included imagery of a menacing German soldier wearing a spiked helmet, known as a Pickelhaube.

Additional slang terms used for German soldiers during WWI included “Fritz”, “Kraut” and “Boche”, the latter being popular amongst French soldiers.

Letter to Woodrow Wilson regarding Prohibition during WWI, Bangor, ca. 1916

Letter to Woodrow Wilson regarding Prohibition during WWI, Bangor, ca. 1916
Item 102504   info
Maine Historical Society

In response to President Wilson and the U.S. Government’s efforts to allocate additional food for the U.S. military and her allies, faculty and students of the Bangor Theological Seminary submitted a petition suggesting part of the cause of the food crisis was the liquor industry. The students pointed to the liquor industry using up valuable supplies and manpower, that they believed should go towards producing food for soldiers and devastated families instead. The under-signers requested Wilson enact a prohibition on alcohol for the duration of the war, in an effort to redistribute supplies.

The seminary’s request was soon realized, if not for the reason stated. In 1920, the Eighteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution outlawed the manufacturing, distribution and consumption of alcohol. Seen as a progressive social movement (rather than means to secure more food and manpower for the war effort), the 18th Amendment found its roots in Maine.
Maine was the first state to enact a prohibition on alcohol, back in 1851. The Maine Law, as it is known, was unsuccessful and near impossible to enforce. Yet the United States commenced with the thirteen year-long social experiment until the repeal of Prohibition in 1933.

Fabbri Cottage, Bar Harbor, ca. 1900

Fabbri Cottage, Bar Harbor, ca. 1900
Item 19195   info
Jesup Memorial Library

Throughout 1914, rumors were rampant of “German Wireless” stations in the Maine woods. Numerous amateur wireless stations were licensed in the state of Maine, many of which were investigated upon the request of British authorities.

The German espionage fever of 1914 came to head with rumored investigation of Italian-born Alessandro and Ernesto Fabbri, two high-society brothers with a summer residence in Bar Harbor. Ernesto Fabbri was a J.P. Morgan executive and married to the great-granddaughter of Commodore Vanderbilt. His brother Alessandro, was a scientist and wireless enthusiast with whom he shared his Bar Harbor cottage.

The New York Times reported on the 1914 investigation of the brothers, citing German sympathies and in-home wireless technology as cause. However, the rumors were soon squashed by the Fabbri’s and their powerful friends. The New York Times issued an apology.

Alessandor’s wireless enthusiasm soon came in handy for the United States. Alessandro Fabbri was instrumental in establishing the wireless station at Otter Cliff’s in what is now Acadia National Park.

Otter Cliffs radio receiver,  1918

Otter Cliffs radio receiver, 1918
Item 67315   info
National Archives at Boston

The United States Naval Radio Station was established at Otter Cliffs on Mount Desert Island in Acadia National Park in August 1917. As insinuated during the German wireless espionage investigations early in the war, the coast of Maine presented a perfect opportunity for wireless transmission, due to proximity to Europe and the lack of surrounding man-made noise.

The Otter Cliffs was one of two receiving stations for wireless communication; the second at Belmar, New Jersey.
Built and outfitted by inventor Alessandro Fabbri, the radio station remained in operation until 1935 when it was replaced by a new station on the Schoodic Peninsula. Fabbri, who died in 1922, received a Naval Cross for his work at the station.

Buy United States Government War Savings Stamps World War I poster, ca. 1917

Buy United States Government War Savings Stamps World War I poster, ca. 1917
Item 102561   info
Maine Historical Society

Aimed at enlisting the participation of immigrant communities in the United States Treasury’s War Savings fund raising campaign, this poster depicts immigrants dressed in stereotypical clothing lined up to buy stamps from Uncle Sam. Participation was advertised as a way to demonstrate patriotism.

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