Who represents the ape in the poster Destroy this mad brute?

The ape in the poster "Destroy This Mad Brute" represents the German Empire during World War I, specifically symbolizing the perceived barbarism and aggression of Germany. The imagery of the ape was used to evoke fear and rally support for the war effort by depicting Germans as monstrous and inhumane. The poster aimed to encourage enlistment in the military and support for the war by appealing to emotions and nationalistic sentiments.