German propaganda leaflet - n.d.
Transcript
The better part of valor. Are you a brave man or a coward? It takes a brave man to stand up for his principles. Cowards stand behind leaders and die, imagining that by so doing they become heroes. The motive of an act is its measure. If you think the war is hell and that you as a citizen of the United States of America have no business to be fighting in France for England you are a coward to stay with it. If you had the courage to face criticism you would get out and over the top in no time to a place where there is some likelihood that you may see home again. What business is this war in Europe to you anyhow? You don't want to annex anything, do you? You don't want to give up your life for the abstract thing <humanity>. If you believe in humanity and that life is precious, save your own life and dedicate it to the service of your own country and the women who deserve it of you. Lots of you fellows are staying with it because you are too cowardly to protest, to assert your own wills. Your wills are the best judges of what is best for you to do. Don't ask anyone's opinion as to what you would better do! You know best what is the right thing to do. Do it and save your life! Germany never did any harm to you, all the newspaper tales of wrongs were printed to inflame you to the fighting pitch, they were lies, you know you can't believe what you read in the papers. If you stay with the outfit ten chances to one, all you will get out of it will be a tombstone in France.
Description
This leaflet of German propaganda, which encouraged American soldiers to defect, was distributed to American troops as a form of psychological warfare. It was picked up by American soldier George Archer, who mailed it to Catherine Luckett of St. Louis, Missouri.
Details
| Title | German propaganda leaflet - n.d. |
| Creator | Unknown |
| Source | Unknown. German propaganda leaflet. n.d. Archer, George L., Papers, 1918-1919. C0198. The State Historical Society of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri. |
| Description | This leaflet of German propaganda, which encouraged American soldiers to defect, was distributed to American troops as a form of psychological warfare. It was picked up by American soldier George Archer, who mailed it to Catherine Luckett of St. Louis, Missouri. |
| Subject LCSH | World War, 1914-1918--Propaganda |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I |
| Site Accession Number | C0198 |
| Contributing Institution | The State Historical Society of Missouri |
| Copy Request | Transmission or reproduction of items on these pages beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the State Historical Society of Missouri: 1020 Lowry Street, Columbia, Missouri, 65201-7298. (573) 882-7083. |
| Rights | The text and images contained in this collection are intended for research and educational use only. Duplication of any of these images for commercial use without express written consent is expressly prohibited. |
| Date Original | n.d. |
| Language | English |