Content note: A drawing of a gaunt, wailing face with a large accusing hand, as issued, depicting starvation in Europe. This object is shown as it was published. Why
The Accusing Finger of Conscience
A pen-and-ink drawing shows a huge hand pointing down from a swirl of smoke, with a gaunt, wailing face at its wrist, above text asking readers to save fats because glycerine for explosives is made from them. The poster ties a household cooking choice to hunger in Europe and to the reader's conscience ('God and Conscience witness every action'). The tell is the guilt appeal: the pointing finger puts the reader personally in the dock.
Propaganda techniques used in this poster
- Date
- 1917
- Period
- First World War
- Made by
- U.S. Food Administration
- Region
- North America
- Country
- United States
- Medium
- Poster
- Issuer type
- State
- Regime
- Wilson Administration
- Leader
- Woodrow Wilson
- Audience
- Domestic public
- Purpose
- Mobilize or secure compliance
- Themes
- Home front, War and the military
- Event
- World War I
- Regime
- Wilson administration
- Leader
- Woodrow Wilson
- Source
- Identified Openly sourced: the speaker is who they say they are
- Source
- U.S. National Archives (NARA), RG 4 (U.S. Food Administration), World War I Posters (NAID 512439), retrieved October 3, 2026
- Rights
- NARA Unrestricted; hosted by owner decision
U.S. Food Administration. National Archives and Records Administration, 4-P-121.
Text on the object
The Accusing Finger of Conscience There is no knowing when horrifying news may be flashed over the cables from battle-torn Europe—our own boys are in the front line trenches now. Bold headlines and harrowing details may herald the torturing death of thousands from starvation as well as bullets—the weakened, emaciated condition of allied soldiers—perhaps our own—FROM THE LACK OF FOOD. Then YOU may be brought face to face with the terrible realization of a neglected duty—if you don't CONSERVE FOOD NOW. God and Conscience Witness Every Action When the shock comes will the silent, tormenting, blunt-pointed finger of conscience—and this accusation would agonize the devil himself—make you shrink from it shuddering with shame, guilt and stinging regret that you didn't even do so little as spare an unnoticeable quantity of certain foods which the government so urgently requested and fully explained why? Surely no American whose veins are coursed with red blood will permit this indelible stain. The Authorities Ask That You Save Fats Glycerine, one of the Chief Substances Used in Making Explosives, is made from Fats So if Each Person Will Use One-Third of an Ounce Less of Fats from Meat a Day The Government Will Have 395,000 Tons More of Fats to Use for Glycerine in a Year—They Need It. When you buy meats tell the butcher you will trim of the fats. Use more vegetable fats and oils for cooking. Conditions are serious, and growing more so each day—it is imperative that you comply with the government requests to conserve particular foods—concerted action on the food question is very vital in winning this war. Relieve the Present Menacing Situation and Prevent Future Distress by Conserving Food This space was cheerfully contributed in the interests of a most vital question—food conservation—by a group of ten men. [artist's signature at right of the drawing, approximately: Frederick H. Spiegle; the copyright line beneath it is [illegible]]
The artist's signature is lettered below the drawing and is read approximately; the small copyright line beneath it is not legible and is marked [illegible].
