---
title: As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master
url: https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/as-i-would-not-be-a-slave-1941/
description: Text-only poster in dark type on pale blue, quoting Abraham Lincoln on democracy and on the ballot versus the bullet.
section: Collection
---

1. [Home](https://propagandaarchive.org/)
2. [Collection](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/)
3. As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master

[![As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master, 1941 US poster: Text-only poster in dark type on pale blue, quoting](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/as-i-would-not-be-a-slave-1941.jpg)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/as-i-would-not-be-a-slave-1941.jpg)

# As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master

Text-only poster in dark type on pale blue, quoting Abraham Lincoln on democracy and on the ballot versus the bullet, attributed to him as '16th President of the United States'. The technique is testimonial, borrowing a revered figure's name for the message, with an abstract value word, 'democracy', carrying the argument.

## Propaganda techniques used in this poster

[Testimonial](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/testimonial/) [Glittering generalities](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/glittering-generalities/)

## Text on the object

Original (English) · read from the image, not independently checked

```
AS I WOULD NOT BE A SLAVE, SO I
WOULD NOT BE A MASTER.  THIS EX-
PRESSES MY IDEA OF DEMOCRACY.
WHATEVER DIFFERS FROM THIS, TO
THE EXTENT OF THE DIFFERENCE,
IS NO DEMOCRACY.
*******
AMONG FREEMEN THERE CAN BE NO
SUCCESSFUL APPEAL FROM THE BAL-
LOT TO THE BULLET, AND...THEY WHO
TAKE SUCH APPEAL ARE SURE TO LOSE
THEIR CASE AND PAY THE COST.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
16th PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
```

[← Army Navy E for excellence in production, Let's keep it flying](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/army-navy-e-production-award-keep-it-flying-1941/) [At Banks, Post Offices and other Authorized Agencies →](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/at-banks-post-offices-authorized-agencies-1941/)

## More propaganda examples that use the same techniques

- [Behistun (Bisotun) rock relief and trilingual inscription of Darius I: the king, two attendants and the bound rebel leaders beneath the winged figure of Ahuramazda](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/behistun-relief-darius-and-rebels-521bce/) (Achaemenid Empire · 0000 · Card stacking, Name-calling, Testimonial). Content note: Shows bound captives before the king, and the inscription records the mutilation and public execution of rebel leaders, as the king's own account.
- [Tomb of Darius I at Naqsh-e Rustam: the king in relief beside his inscription DNa, c. 490 BCE](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/dna-inscription-darius-i-naqsh-e-rustam-490bce/) (Achaemenid Empire · 0000 · Testimonial, Card stacking)
- [Seated limestone statue of Hatshepsut as king, with feminine royal titles on the throne, reassembled from fragments broken up at Deir el-Bahri](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/hatshepsut-seated-statue-limestone-met-1458bce/) (New Kingdom Egypt · 0000 · Transfer, Testimonial)
- [Bronze sestertius of Gaius (Caligula), reverse S P Q R P P OB CIVES SERVATOS in an oak wreath](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/sestertius-caligula-ob-cives-servatos-0037/) (Roman Empire · 0037 · Testimonial, Transfer)
- [Bronze sestertius of Trajan, reverse S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI, S C, the emperor on horseback riding down an enemy](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/sestertius-trajan-optimo-principi-0103/) (Roman Empire · 0103 · Testimonial, Glittering generalities)
- [Seljuq gold dinar of Sanjar, dated 493 AH, with the Abbasid caliph named on one face](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/seljuq-gold-dinar-sanjar-caliph-name-1099/) (Great Seljuk Empire · 1099 · Testimonial)
- [Estoire d'Eracles page with Bernard of Clairvaux preaching the Second Crusade in the initial (Walters W.137, fol. 180v)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/eracles-bernard-preaching-second-crusade-w137-1275/) (France · 1275 · Testimonial)
- [Opening page of the Estoire d'Eracles (William of Tyre in French), with the Crucifixion and Pope Urban II preaching the First Crusade in the initial (Walters W.137, fol. 1r)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/eracles-urban-ii-preaching-first-crusade-w137-1275/) (France · 1275 · Testimonial, Transfer)