During world war i, posters of the central powers countries (i. e., germany and austria-hungary) differed from those of the allied powers countries (i. e., england and the united states). american posters, for example, tended to be more than those from germany.

by 1890, the united states had by far the world's most productive economy. american industry produced twice as much as its closest competitor--britain. but the united states was not a great military or diplomatic power. its army numbered less than 30,000 troops, and its navy had only about 10,000 seamen. britain's army was five times the size of its american counterpart, and its navy was ten times bigger. the united states' military was small because the country was situated between two large oceans and was surrounded by weak or friendly nations. it faced no serious military threats and had little interest in asserting military power overseas.

in the declaration of independence, thomas jefferson announced that every human being has “certain unalienable rights,” among which are those to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of " hope i