Art and Propaganda WWII
-Summary
-People all over the world were seeking a lot of information during WWII. In this case, government issued information. Over the course of the war the U.S. government, Japan, Germany, Italy, Soviet Union, China, France, and Great Britain waged a constant battle for the hearts and minds of the public in their own way. Persuading people to support the war effort became a wartime
industry, just as important as producing bullets and planes. In order to get the support of the people, all of these countries used word and posters as a form of ammunition. In most cases what was put on the posters was a lie, or an over-exaggeration to help that country's cause. Below are some examples of art and propaganda used during the war for these countries.
industry, just as important as producing bullets and planes. In order to get the support of the people, all of these countries used word and posters as a form of ammunition. In most cases what was put on the posters was a lie, or an over-exaggeration to help that country's cause. Below are some examples of art and propaganda used during the war for these countries.
United States of America
This poster emphasizes the need that Americans needed to work together towards
one common goal. It didn't matter what skin color you were, everyone was needed.
"Inside WWII." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 12 May
2014. <http://www.history.com/interactives/inside-wwii-interactive>.
one common goal. It didn't matter what skin color you were, everyone was needed.
"Inside WWII." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 12 May
2014. <http://www.history.com/interactives/inside-wwii-interactive>.
Nurses were always needed during the span of WWII. With so many wounded men, it
was very encouraged for young women to go and become a nurse to be used in the
military.
"Persuasion: US Propaganda Posters from WWII." Persuasion: US Propaganda
Posters from WWII. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 May 2014.
<http://www.anmm.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=2220>.
was very encouraged for young women to go and become a nurse to be used in the
military.
"Persuasion: US Propaganda Posters from WWII." Persuasion: US Propaganda
Posters from WWII. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 May 2014.
<http://www.anmm.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=2220>.
Japan
This poster was put up all around Japan to help try to unite the people against a common enemy.
"War Posters: War Propaganda Posters from Around the World | Creative Fan."
Creative Fan. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2014. <http://creativefan.com/war-propaganda-posters/>.
"War Posters: War Propaganda Posters from Around the World | Creative Fan."
Creative Fan. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2014. <http://creativefan.com/war-propaganda-posters/>.
This propaganda poster resembles that Japan had immense power over everyone else to the Japanese people. It was made to reassure them that what they were doing was right and that they were safe from any harm.
"Propaganda Poster Art Prints, Posters." - Magnolia Box. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 May
2014. <http://www.magnoliabox.com/search/propaganda%2520poster>.
"Propaganda Poster Art Prints, Posters." - Magnolia Box. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 May
2014. <http://www.magnoliabox.com/search/propaganda%2520poster>.
Germany
Hitler was a very manipulative leader, so it was important that once he had people following him, he made it seem that he was the all-star, one and only leader, that would make everything right again.
"Fascism." Visual Propaganda Ideology in Art. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2014.
<http://ideologicalart.wordpress.com/fascism/>.
"Fascism." Visual Propaganda Ideology in Art. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2014.
<http://ideologicalart.wordpress.com/fascism/>.
This poster is solidifying what Hitler wants his people to believe. It is stating that Jews, homosexuals, mental retardation, etc. are the reason why Germany is going through a depression and having restrictions imposed upon them.
"Smashing Magazine." Smashing Magazine. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2014.
<http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2010/06/13/100-years-of-propaganda-the-good-the-bad- and-the-ugly/>.
"Smashing Magazine." Smashing Magazine. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2014.
<http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2010/06/13/100-years-of-propaganda-the-good-the-bad- and-the-ugly/>.
Italy
This is a poster that was made for the purpose of Italy's propaganda. As with all of the others, this was made to show the people that they were superior to all other countries, and that there was nothing to fear, and to keep fighting.
This image has writing in Italian, but it is encouraging the Italians to keep hope for their lost or captured soldiers. (Untold Lives Blog)
"Untold Lives Blog." Untold Lives Blog. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 May 2014.
<http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/untoldlives/2013/10/italian-prisoners-of-war-and-internees- in-india.html>.
"Untold Lives Blog." Untold Lives Blog. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 May 2014.
<http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/untoldlives/2013/10/italian-prisoners-of-war-and-internees- in-india.html>.
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union was very weak after the end of WWI, so they needed as much support from the country as they could muster. Posters that showed immense power on them solidified what they were fighting for, and giving them hope that they could pull through.
"1941 Glory to the Heroes of World War II! Glory to the Stalin's Falcons! -
Digital Poster Collection." Digital Poster Collection. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 May
2014. <http://digitalpostercollection.com/propaganda/1939-1945-world-war-ii/soviet-union/1941- glory-to-the-heroes-of-world-war-ii-glory-to-the-stalins-falcons/>.
"1941 Glory to the Heroes of World War II! Glory to the Stalin's Falcons! -
Digital Poster Collection." Digital Poster Collection. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 May
2014. <http://digitalpostercollection.com/propaganda/1939-1945-world-war-ii/soviet-union/1941- glory-to-the-heroes-of-world-war-ii-glory-to-the-stalins-falcons/>.
This poster goes along nicely with the one above, because it is of Joseph Stalin 'controlling' Hitler like a puppet. Hitler was a great threat to everyone, so putting this on a poster spread a little hilarity around, when there wasn't that much that existed at the time.
"Great Soviet Myths about World War II." Latvian History. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 May
2014. <http://latvianhistory.wordpress.com/2012/08/22/great-soviet-myths-about-world- war-ii/>.
"Great Soviet Myths about World War II." Latvian History. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 May
2014. <http://latvianhistory.wordpress.com/2012/08/22/great-soviet-myths-about-world- war-ii/>.
China
Lopez, Linette. "An Anti-Western Post Called 'You're Nothing Without The
Motherland' Is Going Viral In China." Business Insider. Business Insider, Inc,
03 Dec. 2013. Web. 13 May 2014. <http://www.businessinsider.com/anti-western- post-going-viral-in-china-2013-12>.
Motherland' Is Going Viral In China." Business Insider. Business Insider, Inc,
03 Dec. 2013. Web. 13 May 2014. <http://www.businessinsider.com/anti-western- post-going-viral-in-china-2013-12>.
This poster, along with the one above, are for China. They resemble that even when China got knocked down (when Japan attacked Manchuria, that was what began the beginning of WWII), they stood back up and fought without giving in.
"International Baccalaureate History Topics." International Baccalaureate
History Topics. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 May 2014. <http://www.ibhistorytopics.com/?
attachment_id=1538>.
"International Baccalaureate History Topics." International Baccalaureate
History Topics. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 May 2014. <http://www.ibhistorytopics.com/?
attachment_id=1538>.
France
This poster is actually trying to get men to fight for France. As their men were dying so quickly, they needed more to fill their places, so this poster was meant to encourage the men to fight for their country.
"Reichslieder_French WWII Vichy: Propaganda Posters." Reichslieder_French WWII
Vichy: Propaganda Posters. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 May 2014.
<http://www.reichslieder.com/reichslieder_posters_109.html>.
"Reichslieder_French WWII Vichy: Propaganda Posters." Reichslieder_French WWII
Vichy: Propaganda Posters. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 May 2014.
<http://www.reichslieder.com/reichslieder_posters_109.html>.
In a way, this poster is much like the one above. It is however just a little more blunt. The French leaders flat-out told the people of France that if they didn't win, terrible things would happen to them and their country.
"World War II Workers Propaganda Poster, 1942." World War II Workers
Propaganda Poster, 1942. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 May 2014.
<http://www.studenthandouts.com/01-Web-Pages/01-Picture-Pages/10.13- World-War-II/Home-Front/08-Ben-Shahn-1942-World-War-II-American- Propaganda-Poster.htm>.
"World War II Workers Propaganda Poster, 1942." World War II Workers
Propaganda Poster, 1942. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 May 2014.
<http://www.studenthandouts.com/01-Web-Pages/01-Picture-Pages/10.13- World-War-II/Home-Front/08-Ben-Shahn-1942-World-War-II-American- Propaganda-Poster.htm>.
Great Britain
This poster means a lot to Great Britain, because their leader was Winston Churchill, who is featured on the front. The words that are on the poster encourage the people of Great Britain to stick together throughout the duration of the war.
"WW2 PROPAGANDA [Archive] - WW2 in Color History Forum." WW2 PROPAGANDA
[Archive] - WW2 in Color History Forum. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 May 2014.
<http://www.ww2incolor.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-1989.html>.
"WW2 PROPAGANDA [Archive] - WW2 in Color History Forum." WW2 PROPAGANDA
[Archive] - WW2 in Color History Forum. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 May 2014.
<http://www.ww2incolor.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-1989.html>.
This poster reflects the seriousness of how bad the war was and that if you didn't want to get hurt, you really needed to get out of harms way. Especially the people that Hitler was after.
"Op2-hi, West Mr D WT . Britain 1939-1975 . Impact of
"Op2-hi, West Mr D WT . Britain 1939-1975 . Impact of