Throughout American history, visual propaganda has played a pivotal role in forming specific perceptions and attitudes in citizens. This was especially prevalent during the Second World War. The propaganda used in World War II stirred both pride and fear in the hearts of Americans by reaffirming the American family model, instilling fear of Nazi Germany and creating a draw to help in the war.
During the time of World War II, many American families took pride in America’s ability to provide freedoms for its citizens. Americans took note of the war overseas, noting that many countries were not provided the freedoms that Americans were provided. In 1941, President Roosevelt gave a speech to Congress called the “Four Freedoms” speech. The National …show more content…
The National Archives provides a statement on Current Information Objectives Office of Facts and Figures that says, “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.” By providing propaganda to the public, the American government was able to effectively instill fear in the hearts of many Americans. One poster, nicknamed, “Warning!” features two men, Japanese politician Hideki Tojo, and Hitler. They are seen holding weapons and staring menacingly at a globe turned so that they are looming over America. The bottom reads, “our homes are in danger now!” The “Warning!” poster, as it is known, the Government Information Manual for the Motion Picture Industry Office of War Information says, “Under [Hideki and Hitler’s] system, the individual is a cog in a military machine, a cipher in an economic despotism; the individual is a slave. These facts are documented in the degradation and suffering of the conquered countries, whose fate is shared equally by the willing satellites and the misguided appeasers of the Axis.” Posters were meant to scare the American people using fear tactics, preying on American’s sense of liberty. Another poster pictures a scared woman holding an infant baby close, fending off two monster hands, in Japan and Germany. It reads, “KEEP THESE HANDS OFF!” and “Buy the New Victory Bonds.” This war poster was specifically designed with the family in mind. By playing on the family values that many Americans hold, the poster is able to effectively instill fear into the hearts of Americans. The last poster is of a dark soldier-like figure with very bright eyes. The caption reads, “HE’S WATCHING YOU”. This poster was intended to scare citizens into keeping private information close to them. “Words are the
During the time of World War II, many American families took pride in America’s ability to provide freedoms for its citizens. Americans took note of the war overseas, noting that many countries were not provided the freedoms that Americans were provided. In 1941, President Roosevelt gave a speech to Congress called the “Four Freedoms” speech. The National …show more content…
The National Archives provides a statement on Current Information Objectives Office of Facts and Figures that says, “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.” By providing propaganda to the public, the American government was able to effectively instill fear in the hearts of many Americans. One poster, nicknamed, “Warning!” features two men, Japanese politician Hideki Tojo, and Hitler. They are seen holding weapons and staring menacingly at a globe turned so that they are looming over America. The bottom reads, “our homes are in danger now!” The “Warning!” poster, as it is known, the Government Information Manual for the Motion Picture Industry Office of War Information says, “Under [Hideki and Hitler’s] system, the individual is a cog in a military machine, a cipher in an economic despotism; the individual is a slave. These facts are documented in the degradation and suffering of the conquered countries, whose fate is shared equally by the willing satellites and the misguided appeasers of the Axis.” Posters were meant to scare the American people using fear tactics, preying on American’s sense of liberty. Another poster pictures a scared woman holding an infant baby close, fending off two monster hands, in Japan and Germany. It reads, “KEEP THESE HANDS OFF!” and “Buy the New Victory Bonds.” This war poster was specifically designed with the family in mind. By playing on the family values that many Americans hold, the poster is able to effectively instill fear into the hearts of Americans. The last poster is of a dark soldier-like figure with very bright eyes. The caption reads, “HE’S WATCHING YOU”. This poster was intended to scare citizens into keeping private information close to them. “Words are the