Dateline: 30 December 2016
This post will focus on a single poster from the collection of vintage Department of Agriculture posters showcased in Part 1 on Upland.
This particular poster originates from the World War I era, specifically between 1914 and 1918. It conveys a powerful and urgent message to contribute to food security by urging individuals to “HELP FEED YOURSELF” and “DO YOUR SHARE.”
Due to the small font size in the image above, the message within each of the four poster sections has been transcribed below for better readability….
Additionally, the caption beneath the image depicting canned goods reads: Children preserved these perishable goods for winter consumption.
Addressing Famine
The previous post highlighted the American government’s apprehensions regarding famine within the country, as demonstrated by one of the old posters. During the Great Depression, numerous Americans undoubtedly faced severe poverty, malnutrition, and even death as a consequence of inadequate nutrition. Despite these hardships, the United States has never truly experienced famine.
However, it’s important to acknowledge the significant famine that ravaged Russia in 1921. Shockingly, the communities most devastated by this famine were self-sufficient peasant communities residing in Russia’s most fertile and productive agricultural regions. This tragedy stemmed from a combination of drought and government seizure of seeds and food reserves, resulting in the loss of millions of lives.
The PBS documentary titled “The Great Famine” chronicles the harrowing account of the 1921 Russian famine. Watching this documentary, available on YouTube, is highly recommended. Maintaining historical awareness concerning the crucial matter of food security is crucial.
Remarkably, amidst the devastation of the 1921 Russian famine, America, spearheaded by Herbert Hoover (prior to his presidency), played a pivotal role in saving millions of starving Russians through a massive humanitarian aid effort. This lesser-known historical event deserves recognition by all Americans. It serves as a testament to the power of compassion and resilience in the face of adversity.