Photo Analysis:
I chose the photo at the top of the screen because it says "The Great War" at the bottom of the photo, which is the nickname of WWI. I looked for a photo containing that caption because I thought it had the greatest nicknames of all American wars. The great war, a war to end all wars. It is quite catchy.
Political Theme: Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles was the treaty that ended World War 1. It was signed on June 28, 1919, even though the fighting in the war ended a few months earlier. Germany was given the hefty burden of being the cause of the war beginning in the first place. Germany also had to pay a substantial amount of money for the costs of damages during the war.
Economic Theme: Bonds
Bonds were debt securities issued by the government during World War 1. Their sole purpose was to pay for military operations during the war. This system is also useful as a means of controlling inflation by removing money from contention until hopefully after the war has ended. At this point, bonds would be used to help the citizens spend money and help the economy transition into peace-time.
Social Theme: Propaganda
Propaganda was a popular attempt to sway the public opinion in America just before its involvement in World War German propaganda organizations such as the German Literary Defense Committee distributed over a million pamphlets during 1914 stressing their strength and will. Despite all the attempted influence, the propaganda made little difference to America's public opinion. Ties of heritage, trade and the course of the war, not propaganda, decided the American position.
How did WWI influence the 1920's?
In the 1920s there is a reference to the Lost Generation which was comprised of individuals who were Americans disillusioned by the carnage of war. They stayed in Europe after WW1, and many found themselves in Paris. Many others saw the war as a time for celebration and the end to all wars. Women began to celebrate. Many Americans returned to normal with neutrality and isolationism as their view of the world.