Title

Halt the Hun

Creator

Henry Raleigh
United States Government

Preview

Creation Date

1918

Description

“Halt the Hun” was one of many posters issued by the United States government during World War I to encourage support of the war. This poster was illustrated by Henry Raleigh in 1918. According to the Documenting the American South Society, Raleigh was known to be one of the highest paid illustrators in America. This poster shows the heroic action of an American soldier holding his arm out to prevent a German soldier from hurting a helpless woman and child. The woman and child are dressed in black and are shown looking up at the American soldier for refuge. Raleigh’s use of imagery in this painting is significant as he shows the destruction the Germans had caused. There is fire surrounding them, indicating the destruction the Germans have already caused. The disdain for the German influence is also shown as the German soldier’s face is covered, and he appears hunched over in comparison to the young, strong American soldier. The caption “Halt the Hun! Buy U.S. Government Bonds Third Liberty Loans” encouraged people to buy bonds in order to save themselves from the “Hun.” "Hun" was a derogatory term used by the British and Americans to describe German soldiers during the First World War. This term referenced the Hun Army that invaded Europe in 370 AD (“Beat Back the Hun with Liberty Bonds”, 2017). The utilization of women, children, and disdain for Germans were frequent in propaganda posters to convince Americans to buy bonds. War bonds were created to fund the Allied victory by supporting troops and the Allied war effort. Liberty Loans were bonds that the government sold, so they could keep up with the expenses of war. These were sold back to the government after the war. This poster was created and reproduced as a lithographic print at the time of its distribution.