While Someone Gives His Life, What Are You Giving? Think a Minute
A large red cross on a plain ground sits between a question about giving and the words 'think a minute', with a line at the foot saying all of the Red Cross War Fund goes for war relief. The poster contrasts a soldier's sacrifice with the reader's donation to prompt guilt. Its second claim, that every dollar goes to relief, is a verifiable assurance printed in the same type as the appeal.
Propaganda techniques used in this poster
- Date
- 1918
- Period
- First World War
- Made by
- American Red Cross (War Fund)
- Region
- North America
- Country
- United States
- Medium
- Poster
- Issuer type
- NGO
- Regime
- Wilson Administration
- Leader
- Woodrow Wilson
- Audience
- Domestic public
- Purpose
- Fundraise
- Themes
- War and the military, Home front
- 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
American Red Cross (War Fund). National Archives and Records Administration, 4-P-217.
Text on the object
While someone gives his Life - what are you giving? -think a minute All of the Red Cross War Fund goes for War Relief FORM N.Y. 3-SECOND WAR FUND
The form line at the lower right is very small; 'N.Y. 3' is read as printed but is faint.
