Since ancient times of human civilization, humans have used propaganda to sway public opinion and evoke emotion. Propaganda can be found everywhere, whether it is through advertising or during a time war, it has remained effective and prevalent. In this war-time propaganda poster made by H.R. Hopps (1917), a scene is an intimidating of a gorilla kidnapping a woman on American soil, along with many smaller, intricate details to entice, as well as detail what is potentially going on. This piece of propaganda uses a central focal point to catch your eye and it strikes fear all the way down to your toes. The bloody club, the menacing jaws, and beaming eyes are just a few that skim the surface of something far greater than what just meets the naked eye at first glance. The German Kaiser, Wilheim II dehumanized while holding the symbol of the American dream, captured on American soil threatening every citizens way of lie. 

In order for propaganda to be effective, there needs to be something that tugs at the audience and gets their attention, but when it gets their attention, it has to have an effect on them. In this poster, this attention is focused an evil person. This person is someone who is really portrayed as a predator. First off, the gorilla takes up the majority of the poster and your eyes shoot directly into his. The wide, yellow eyes are something that are so startling and almost sends a shiver down your spine. The aggressive stance the artist displays makes the viewer feel as if the predator is going to pop off the page. After the initial startle, you see how the gorilla is a physical animal, but then realize how is representing a man. The gorilla has an iconic helmet on his head that was worn by German soldiers. Along with the pointed helmet, there is a wispy, parted, and iconic mustache of the unmistakable Wilheim II, Germany’s militaristic Kaiser. The Kaiser was feared worldwide for his iron fist and powerful military that could have potentially taken over the world at the time. Depicting the Kaiser as a gorilla is very unique. Dehumanizing an extremely powerful ruler into a gorilla has two effects on the audience. Yes, the gorilla is far scarier than any picture of Wilheim II (although, he does have an atrocious mustache but that’s another story), but showing him as a beast, takes away the fact that he is a real human. War is a scary part of human history, but deep down, no one truly wants to kill anyone. So, putting the Kaiser in the body of a gorilla makes puts somewhat of an easier target on Germany’s back. The bold, “DESTROY THIS MAD BRUTE” sounds urgent and that the threat is imminent. Then towards the bottom of the page, the gorilla is standing on American soil as if the beast has just arrived, foaming at the mouth and ready to attack. While that is on the foreground, the background does not scream at the viewer. The skyline across the water is dark and looks like it has been burnt to the ground and all that’s left are the ruins. Hopps meant for that to be ‘across the pond’ as in Europe as a whole as the remains for what is left. For a poster that is meant to entice people to enlist in the US Army, this directly supports that idea by dehumanizing a cruel leader into a mad beast washing up on the shore of the United States of America after they finish up their job across the pond. 

Being a United States citizen, we are granted with rights that are unheard of in almost all countries in the world. The protection of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness lays the foundation of the American Dream. It is why we have had such a diverse population. People come from far and wide, it is a land of endless opportunity. Being a soldier, you sacrifice your life to protect these liberties. However, before The artist had cleverly integrated this into the poster. The Brute has captured a woman in the United States and she’s in clear distress. This lady happens to be wearing a green dress. This green dress represents Lady Liberty, a national symbol for our freedom. This piece of the poster is the most influential in my eyes, yet something that is tougher to pick up on right away. The gorilla is holding a club that says “Kultur” which is German for culture. You can assume that the gorilla attacked the woman with the club. This symbolizes the Germans invading American soil and eliminating our liberties and implementing their culture of militaristic oppression. The intention of this being a key detail of the poster is that it is the glue that holds this nation together and making it such a special place for anyone. The women looks so innocent in the dress, it gives off a feeling a anger and pride. It makes you feel singled out by the poster to do something about it, or no one will. The way it does this once you catch on to this detail is beautiful. American’s have historically been one’s to extend a helping hand. Whether it is in our community, or on a national level, we are always first responders and giving our aid. This pulls at the heartstrings of the inner American in all of us, especially a potential soldier during this time period. 

While the liberties of the United States are enjoyed on domestic soil, there was something far greater fear that was represented in the propaganda other than Lady Liberty. The president of the United States has often been referred to as the leader of the free world. This means that a watchful eye is always kept on the activity surrounding the United States. Keeping note of that, The majority of the United States foreign policy in the 20th century was focused on containment. Their intentions were to be stopping authoritarian and totalitarian empires from expanding by invading weaker countries then ultimately spreading their way of governing. During a period between 1890-1914, Germany experienced a period of industrializing economic growth where their labor force had doubled to a population of one million. In the 1870s, Britain’s steel production doubled Germany. In 1914, Germany’s steel production doubled Britain’s. Also in 1914, Germany had invaded Luxembourg and Belgium. This newly industrialized country had become the superpower of the world and were now ready to mobilize and expand. At this time, this was very intimidating to the United States. The United States had experienced similar, rapid growth, but nothing to the level of Germany. When Germany’s steel production had doubled one of the United States closest allies, it becomes evident that their side is slipping. Germany was an authoritarian regime that was expanding and after invading two significant European countries, it was clear that it was only the beginning of Germany’s expansion. Germany had invaded with such ease, the tensions had increase that much more. As a leader of the free world, it can be seen that if the United States does not take action on the growing German empire, there may never be a chance to stop Germany. When you view this poster, yes, there may be a twinge at your ties to your freedoms, but the safety of the entire globe was a far scarier thought to any citizen who gazes upon this poster. 

In conclusion, H.R. Hopps had tugged at the emotional attachment and pride that comes with being an American. We are frightened by the Brute, instructed to destroy him to not only protect the liberties in which we have been so blessed to have as citizens, but a call to protect the free world from any regime threatening democracy across the world,  with the can-do American Dream attitude. 
