During the Word War II, the government was effective of using propaganda to stir the citizens into joining military. Without it, it would be hard for this country to pull its citizens from the Great Depression and into a war. There are multiple types of propaganda, be it emotional appeal, glamorized statements (ex: For Freedom! For the God!), guilt tripping, appealing to common folk, creating an ideal, euphemisms, testimonials from famous people or presenting only one side of the argument. All of these propaganda tactics were crucial for United States’s involvement in the war as it was happening overseas thus a part of population would not be invested in it and/or didn’t wish to be part of the battle that they cannot see or feel the impact of (that is until Pearl Harbor). As World War II was an all out war, the government had to make sure that the actions of all it’s citizens would be beneficial for the war, be it at home or at the front lines, the citizens had to be aligned all in one direction. Such was achievable through propaganda in art, as the government had the total power to censor and control what people see. Propaganda through posters was effective due to the fact that the posters can be easily incorporated into a person’s life. Hung anywhere from a person’s home to pubs and local markets, the propaganda could follow one wherever they go. It would stir emotions of hatred towards the enemies, emotions of patriotism and need to battle for their country. The common idea that was emphasized during that time is shown well in a quote from FDR’s speech were he says,”We defend and we build a way of life, not for America alone, but for all mankind.”

Secondary Sources:

1. Soules, Marshall. Media, Persuasion and Propaganda. Edinburgh, Edinburgh University Press, 2015.

2. Taylor, Philip M. Munitions of the Mind: A History of Propaganda. Manchester; New York, Manchester University Press, 2003.

3. Davison, W. Phillips. “Some Trends in International Propaganda.” The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, vol. 398, 1971