James Montgomery Flagg’s poster is a small representation of how women were viewed prior to World War I. While providing a glance into America’s participation in the war. The United States had attempted to stay neutral and isolate themselves from the war that began in Europe. However, this did not stop first and second-generation immigrants to stay loyal to their homelands that were partaking in the war. Causing a small division with America’s government and citizen’s views on the Great War. It also did not deter the United States from providing aid to the Allies, and many men and women volunteering in the British, Canadian and French militaries. America had always managed to support the Allies from a distance without interfering to the extent of joining the Allies and declaring war on Germany.

One of the main reasons why America had been indifferent in response to the Great War was because they were able to profit from it. The Allied powers were in a financial crisis and needed more aid to properly fight in the war against Germany. The turning point in the war was Germany’s submarine warfare sinking American ships. It is also known that America was able to intercept the Zimmermann Telegram which proposed a German Mexican alliance against the U.S[1]. These events caused America to end its neutrality and entered World War I on April 6, 1917. Since the United States’ banks and other investors sent more than $2 billion to the Allied Powers while only offering $27 million to Germany; this may have caused some rivalry between America and Germany even though American government felt that they were being supportive to both.

James Montgomery’s image was featured thirteen days later on April 19^, 1917, in New York to alert all citizens to wake up and be aware of America’s involvement in the war. His main purpose of this poster was to illustrate the personification of America and Liberty with the model Mary Arthur. The woman is seen asleep while wearing patriotic clothing to represent American citizen’s love for their country. Along with the use of the Phrygian cap which has been a symbol of freedom since Roman times. The use of ancient civilization in the background is a way to establish how far western culture has evolved. The storm that is brewing can be seen as a threat coming to attack the foundation of western culture that was built on freedom and love. Ultimately ending the neutral “asleep” stance that America had at the beginning of World War I.

This image sparked patriotism from American citizens, considering that they had never experienced something so drastic before. American government relied on men to physically fight in war. Also encouraging women and children to help in any form to keep the United States functioning. The artist specifically chose to include a painting of a woman sleeping, even though it is not explained why he made that decision instead of painting a man asleep. It can be inferred that women were seen as less worthy than men.

Prior to America joining World War I, women were fighting for their rights. Some feared that they would abandon the traditional roles they were meant to fulfill in society. Such as being a housewife and having kids. An article about women during World War I explains the belief that the war allowed women to be granted equal treatment to men. However, this is not the case, there were more employment opportunities but with lower wages. This was not just an American issue, in Europe where the war took place, the government did not recognize the efforts women gave. The author mentions that British women played key roles in the wartime scientific research projects, “…but at lower levels of remuneration than men.”[2] This is not spoken about often and Montgomery’s image portrays women as lazy and do not benefit the country as much as they should. It is also interesting that after denying women the right to vote for years, they now demanded that women and children participate in the war. Simply emphasizing that world leaders belittled women and only granted them certain opportunities because it benefited the country in this time of crisis.

James R. McGovern’s article analyzes American women and their freedom and manners pre-World War I. Especially the differences in social norms before and after. The author highlights “women depicted… in 1900 are well rounded, have gentle, motherly expressions…” Contrasting this with “after 1910, they are depicted as more active figures with more of their actively taking place outside their homes.”[3] This article takes a negative tone to how women were behaving after leaving their social norm duties after the war. During the war they were given a sense of freedom because they were now working outside of their home more than men, which allowed them to take on more male characteristics. After the war they indulged in this freedom and did not want to let it go. They were being shamed for being outside more than at home and society wanted them to revert to housewives.

The poster by Montgomery could not predict the impact it would have when it was created. It eventually proved that women were only included for economic interest. As well as provoking shame and negative feedback for women wanting to live a freer life than before. Once again enticing the idea that women only gained a sense of liberty after calling them lazy. Later men wanted them to forget about the opportunities and return to their gentle and mother-like qualities. It speaks volumes about how America dealt with world conflict as well as how it treated its citizens. The poster holds significant information of pre–World War views on women and a glimpse into the challenges women faced.

 

[1]  Shi, Ramey Berry, Crespino & Murrell Taylor, America: A Narrative History, 13e (W.W. Norton & Company, 2025), 962.

[2] Patricia Fara, “Women, science and suffrage in World War I” Clara College, Trinity Lane, Cambridge CB2 1TL, UK. 19 November 2014.

 

[3] McGovern, James R., “The American Woman’s Pre-World War 1 Freedom in Manners and Morals.” The Journal of American History, Vol. 55, No. 2. Sep. 1968. pp. 315-333.