---
title: Sounds Like the Line I fell for Ten Years Ago
url: https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/berryman-sounds-like-the-line-i-fell-for-1955/
description: Uncle Sam, dressed as a blacksmith in a star-patterned vest, hammers a sword labelled 'For defense of free world' on an anvil while reading a sheet headed
section: Collection
---

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3. Sounds Like the Line I fell for Ten Years Ago

[![Sounds Like the Line I fell for Ten Years Ago, 1955 US cartoon: Uncle Sam, dressed as a blacksmith in a star-patterned vest](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/berryman-sounds-like-the-line-i-fell-for-1955.jpg)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/berryman-sounds-like-the-line-i-fell-for-1955.jpg)

# Sounds Like the Line I fell for Ten Years Ago

Uncle Sam, dressed as a blacksmith in a star-patterned vest, hammers a sword labelled 'For defense of free world' on an anvil while reading a sheet headed 'Russia calls for halt in international arms race'. The cartoon argues that the Soviet proposal should not be trusted, using the sword and the phrase 'free world' as its framing; the technique is glittering generalities, a weak fit as the main work is done by the caption and the title.

## Propaganda techniques used in this cartoon

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

## Text on the object

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

```
RUSSIA CALLS FOR HALT IN INTERNATIONAL ARMS RACE

FOR-DEFENSE-OF-FREE WORLD

JIM BERRYMAN WASHINGTON STAR
```

[← It Looks Impossible](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/it-looks-impossible-1955/) [Well, Sam, What do We Try Next? →](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/berryman-well-sam-what-do-we-try-next-1955/)

## More propaganda examples that use the same techniques

- [Gypsum alabaster slab inscribed in cuneiform, from Nimrud (Kalhu), reign of Ashurnasirpal II](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/nimrud-slab-ashurnasirpal-ii-inscription-883bce/) (Neo Assyrian Empire · 0000 · Transfer, Glittering generalities)
- [Colour lithograph of the Latin text of the Res Gestae Divi Augusti on the wall of the temple of Roma and Augustus at Ancyra, with the heading in large letters (Perrot, Guillaume and Delbet, 1872)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/lithograph-res-gestae-ancyra-heading-0014/) (Roman Empire · 0014 · Card stacking, Glittering generalities)
- [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)
- [Gold solidus of Constantine I, reverse RESTITVTORI LIBERTATIS](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/solidus-constantine-i-restitutori-libertatis-0313/) (Roman Empire · 0313 · Glittering generalities)
- [Gold solidus of Justinian I, reverse VICTORIA AVGGG with Victory holding a Christogram staff](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/solidus-justinian-i-victoria-avggg-0538/) (Byzantine Empire · 0538 · Transfer, Glittering generalities)
- [The Armada Portrait of Elizabeth I (Royal Museums Greenwich version), oil on panel](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/armada-portrait-elizabeth-i-greenwich-1588/) (England · 1588 · Transfer, Glittering generalities)
- [Medal of Elizabeth I: portrait in a ruff, reverse an ark on stormy waves with SAEVAS TRANQVILLA PER VNDAS (18th-century aftercast of a 1588 model)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/elizabeth-i-ark-medal-aftercast-1588/) (England · 1588 · Transfer, Glittering generalities)
- [Frontispiece to Eikon Basilike, The Pourtraicture of His Sacred Majestie in his Solitudes and Sufferings (Hollar, 1649)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/eikon-basilike-frontispiece-hollar-1649/) (Dutch Republic · 1649 · Transfer, Glittering generalities)