Role of Propaganda in World War II

2. Some Facts & Figures • World War II was the largest war in modern history and lasted from 1939 to 1945. • The conflict spanned the globe and included the majority of the world’s countries split into two military alliances: the Axis and the Allies. • More than 100 million military personnel saw action. Major events of the war included the Holocaust, D-Day, and the only use of nuclear weapons in war. • It was the deadliest conflict in recorded human history, with more than 60 million killed, and the first war in which more civilians died than military personnel.

3. Role of Propaganda • Guns, tanks, and bombs were the principal weapons of World War II against the enemy; however,words, posters, and films waged a constant battle for the hearts and minds of the American citizenry. • Persuading the American public became a wartime industry, almost as important as the manufacturing of bullets and planes. • The Government launched an aggressive propaganda campaign to galvanize public support, and some of the nation's foremost intellectuals, artists, and film makers became warriors on that front.

9. The Four Freedoms • “We look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms. The first is freedom of speech and expression--everywhere in the world. The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way-- everywhere in the world. The third is freedom from want . . . everywhere in the world. The fourth is freedom from fear . . . anywhere in the world.” 
--President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Message to Congress, January 6, 1941

10. Norman Rockwell’s Response • The speech so inspired illustrator Norman Rockwell that he created a series of paintings on the "Four Freedoms" theme. • In the series, he translated abstract concepts of freedom into four scenes of everyday American life. • The images were first publicly circulated when The Saturday Evening Post, one of the nation’s most popular magazines, commissioned and reproduced the paintings. • After winning public approval, the paintings served as the centerpiece of a massive U.S. war bond drive and were put into service to help explain the war’s aims.

13. Masculine strength was a common visual theme in patriotic posters. Pictures of powerful men and mighty machines illustrated America’s ability to channel its formidable strength into the war effort. American muscle was presented in a proud display of national confidence.

15. Racism in the War Effort “We say glibly that in the United States of America all men are free and equal, but do we treat them as if they were? . . . There is religious and racial prejudice everywhere in the land, and if there is a greater obstacle anywhere to the attainment of the teamwork we must have, no one knows what it is.” - Arthur Upham Pope, Chairman of the Committee for National Morale, in America Organizes to Win the War

16. During World War II, racial restriction and segregation were facts of life in the U.S. military. Nevertheless, an overwhelming majority of African Americans participated wholeheartedly in the fight against the Axis powers. They did so, however, with an eye toward ending racial discrimination in American society. This objective was expressed in the call, initiated in the black press for the "Double V” – victory over fascism abroad and over racism at home. 


17. United We Win • The Government was well aware of the demoralizing effects of racial prejudice on the American population and its impact on the war effort. • Consequently, it promoted posters, pamphlets, and films highlighting the participation and achievement of African Americans in military and civilian life.

18. Above and Beyond the Call of Duty • Doris ("Dorie") Miller joined the Navy and was in service on board the U.S.S. West Virginia during the attack on Pearl Harbor. • Restricted to the position of messman, he received no gunnery training. But during the attack, at great personal risk, he manned the weapon of a fallen gunman and succeeded in hitting Japanese planes. • He was awarded the Navy Cross, but only after persistent pressure from the black press.

19. Working Behind the Scenes

23. The Role of Women in the War • In the face of acute wartime labor shortages, women were needed in the defense industries, the civilian service, and even the Armed Forces.

24. Campaigns to Recruit Women • Despite the continuing 20th century trend of women entering the workforce, publicity campaigns were aimed at those women who had never before held jobs. • Poster and film images glorified and glamorized the roles of working women and suggested that a woman’s femininity need not be sacrificed. • Whether fulfilling their duty in the home, factory, office, or military, women were portrayed as attractive confident, and resolved to do their part to win the war.

25. Reaching Out to Women • “These jobs will have to be glorified as a patriotic war service if American women are to be persuaded to take them and stick to them. Their importance to a nation engaged in total war must be convincingly presented.” • --Basic Program Plan for Womanpower Office of War Information

30. Victory Gardens • Victory Gardens first rose in World War I. The United Kingdom and the United States pushed their citizens to produce their own food to support the war effort. • City parks, backyards, playgrounds, and churches became gardens. • Patriotism was linked to this gardening effort, and even Uncle Sam took up the hoe.

32. More WW I Posters

33. WWII Victory Gardens • World War II saw a dramatic increase in the number of Victory Gardens. Propaganda once again tied victory in the war to the gardens at home. • Women were singled out in the call to “Dig for Victory.” • Farmers grew essentials, while women at home grew vegetables for their families.

35. Rationing • Victory gardens could also help with the rationing system. Rations were allotted to families for meat, milk, sugar, eggs, butter, and several other commodities. A ration card equaled a certain amount of one of these things, like a quart of milk. Once you used that ration, you couldn't buy more of that food until the next week. By producing food at home, a family could grow enough food to supplement the shortages they experienced with rations.

36. Conservation Campaigns • During the war years, gasoline, rubber, sugar, butter, and meat were rationed. • Government publicity reminded people that shortages of these materials occurred because they were going to the troops, and that civilians should take part in conservation and salvage campaigns. • EVERYONE was called upon to sacrifice.

37. What the Wartime Industry Needs … “Astronomical quantities of everything and to hell with civilian needs.” 
--Donald Nelson, Chairman of the War Production Board, describing the military view of the American wartime industry.

47. Buying Bonds

48. War Loans

49. Appeal to Emotion • Public relations specialists advised the U.S. Government that the most effective war posters were the ones that appealed to the emotions. • The posters shown here played on the public's fear of the enemy. • The images depict Americans in imminent danger-their backs against the wall, living in the shadow of Axis domination.