WW+II+propaganda

EKB- 'When you ride alone.." This poster was created by an artist named Weimer Pursell for the Office of Price Administration in 1943. The Office for Price Administration, created in 1941 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, was in charge of regulating the prices of goods and rents after the outbreak of World War II. This poster was created 2 years after United States entry into the war, so the need for goods overseas and the rationing and regulation of consumption of goods on the home front was important. Thus, the United States government was pushing for conservation of materials, especially gasoline and rubber. And the American people were all for it. The recycling of products and the rationing of gas and other goods was embraced by the American citizenry because the American people wanted to feel as if they were contributing to the war effort in any way they could. The Americans believed Europe to the biggest threat to American safety and Hitler to be the most threatening leader in the European theater, which leads to the use of Hitler in this propaganda in order to bring about feelings of guilt and fear. This guilt and fear was more than enough to make thousands of workers join carpools or "car sharing clubs" in order to conserve gas, which the OPA was able to keep to minimal prices during the war. The propaganda was targeted toward workers, who affected the economic need for conservation of gas most in daily commutes to and from work every day, however, all Americans would have most likely paid attention to this poster since the social need to contribute to the war effort, for the sons of millions of Americans, was strong during WWII. This poster's message of the need for citizens of a wartime nation to step up and help the country even on the home front is even strong today in the use of drives, sales and charities that aid American troops over seas.

ATG

Created by the United States government, during World War Two when there was a large demand on oil and rubber in supplying the United States military in their war efforts. The point of view is very biased, much like any other form of propaganda attempting to inspire an extra urge of nationalism among Americans. Many posters just like this one were paid for by the United States government to be distributed across the United States. Because much of the rubber imported into the United States was from Asia, a major obstacle arose when Japan began to take over parts of China and the Pacific. Families in the United States were urged to scavenge their homes for different rubber materials that could be recycled and used for the military. It is important to recognize the fact that Hitler is the enemy featured in this beside the fact that the conflict over the war materials was not truly due to the war with Germany, rather the conflict between the United States and Japan. Because of posters like these many young children looked through there house searching for rubber materials to turn into the local recycling boxes.

SMR

The author of this poster is unknown. It was created during World War II, to support the war effort. It was created to ensure the protection of American soldiers and arsenals going overseas. The American government was becoming increasingly paranoid about foreign spies doing reconnaissance on American war efforts. In the poster, the submarine sinking is a symbol of someone having spoken of its location. Common knowledge during this time period was to keep quiet. Other posters represent a woman wanted for murder because she spoke. Speaking openly during the war was a major offense to American standards. These posters were directed towards the American public, warning them not to speak about war-related topics around just anybody. Posters like this also increased paranoia amongst Americans. The point of wartime government propaganda was to ensure the safety of Americans and their armaments. It encouraged people at home to take part in protecting democracy as well. As a result, Americans became increasingly aware of the danger of foreign spies, and protected wartime secrets.

2/6 checked JML:  Dr. Seuss, real name Theodore Seuss Geisel, created this cartoon. Dr. Seuss was a major political cartoonist during World War II and, though he originally was anti-war, drew many cartoons and propaganda in support of the war. Dr. Seuss is insinuating in this cartoon that if one does not purchase Untied States saving bonds and stamps that Hitler and Emperor Hirohito would take over America and even have their faces carved into the landscape like Mt. Rushmore. Dr. Seuss made this while working for __PM__. This piece of propaganda was published December 12th 1941, days after Pearl Harbor and the declaration of war on Japan and a day after Germany and Italy declared war on the United States. Thus the reason for Dr. Seuss’ propaganda at this time was to gain support for the war immediately because the war was now official. People would have originally encountered this material in __PM__. This cartoon also addresses World War II and Hitler and the Hirohito in general and the necessity for American support of the war. It would help to know that Germany and Japan were part of the Axis Powers that the Allies, including America, were fighting against in World War II and that they lost. The Nazi flag being pulled up and the American being pulled down in the corner represent the possibility of the Axis Powers gaining control over America, and the drawn faces on the mountains represent Hitler and Hirohito. Dr. Seuss created this material when he did because America needed to gain support for the war which had just then officially involved Americans. Dr. Seuss argues that to keep Hitler and Hirohito from taking over America and having their faces carved on United States’ mountains and to have the Nazi flag raised instead of the American, that people need to buy United States savings bonds and stamps to support the American war effort. This piece emphasizes loyalty to one’s country. The main idea is that the reader should purchase United States savings bonds and stamps to support the war effort and keep Hitler and Hirohito from completely taking over America. This material is important because it is a good example of World War II propaganda. The political, social and economic implications of this material was that one needed to buy bonds and stamps and support the war or otherwise give up the country to the enemy. This material would have incited people to purchase United States savings bonds and stamps and support the war effort which would have possibly helped prevent the future portrayed in the propaganda from becoming reality.

SLW--Girl Scouts Collecting Scrap Metal

This picture above is of a group of Girl Scouts that was collecting scrap metal during World War II. Members of Girl Scout troops took avid roles in contributing to the war effort at home, through practices like: scrap metal drives, recycling, and the collection of clothing. Girl Scouts also joined in the effort for Farm Aide Projects and growing Victory Gardens. Victory Gardens were very important during the war because, not only did they help provide food to people during the war when the public supply of food was low, but they also made people feel empowered and boosted morale. People felt that they could help fight in the war even if they were not marching in the battles. This represented a major purpose of the Girl Scouts: to empower women. Girl Scouts were also significant because they helped contribute to a change in the role of women during World War II. Women began to take over jobs of men who were out fighting the war and the image of a woman was thereafter altered during the time of war. “Rosie the Riveter” became the symbol of working women at this time which showed how women were just as capable, willing, and talented to perform all of the duties of men. Women were extremely underrated for their contribution to World War II because, in reality, they were a majority of the labor force that produced the armament and other goods to fight in the war as well as the contributors of the materials to produce them. Girl Scouts learned about different military drills like how to perform in case of an air raid and other important skills that were necessary to known during the war such as aviation and nursing. Girl Scouts even spread their education and skills through pamphlets so that others could be prepared for war as well. The photographer of the picture above likely took this picture to capture the role that Girl Scouts played during World War II. The picture also helped show other women and girls at the time that they too should join a Girl Scout troop if they wanted to have a good time while helping support the war effort. World War II was the platform for which Girl Scouts were able to perform their duties and show the importance of what the group was all about.

WMA

Although the artist is unknown it can be inferred that not only did he or she hold prejudices against the Japanese, but he or she may have also been commissioned by the United States Government to create this image. The cartoon was most likely created after the attack on Pearl Harbor and during World War II, reflecting the hostile emotions most Americans felt towards the Japanese. Not only does the cartoon dramatize Japanese stereotypes, including: an over bite, glasses, and broken English, but the “Tokio Kid” is even depicted as savage. Despite lacking a military alliance the Japanese are even connected to Hitler’s Nazi Regime via a swastika printed on the back of “Tokio Kid’s” apparel. This particular cartoon was probably aimed at children and women and was intended to prevent the waste of scrap material. The artist utilized the popular hatred of Japanese in order to convince Americans to donate materials for the war effort. Rather than attacking Hitler or merely encouraging Americans to recycle this cartoon manipulates fear and anger towards Japanese culture to spread its message. Unfortunately because many Americans still feared and hated the Japanese after Pearl Harbor and tales of Japanese savagery in the Pacific Theater, this cartoon was probably very compelling.

CHE-- "We Can Do It!" Created by J. Howard Miller in a series of war effort posters, this poster is one of the most well-known feminist propaganda today. When Miller created this poster in his series, it was not as well known as it is today. Miller was hired by the Westinghouse Company in 1942 to create these posters that would encourage citizens to work in war production factories. This poster was specifically created to recruit women into the factory labor force; at the time it was produced only women in the Pittsburg area saw it. During World War Two, factories needed the help of women not only because many men were off at war, but also because the United States needed an increase in war material production. This poster was created to boost the morale of women; it depicts a fierce and determined woman to show other women who may have been wary about working in the labor force that they should be confident. Although many women returned to their clerical-type jobs after the war, their participation in factory working greatly helped the United States. This poster is usually associated with “Rosie the Riveter”; however, the original Rosie came from a song. The woman in the picture is based off of Geraldine Boyle, a factory worker in the Westinghouse Company. It did not become associated with Rosie until the nineteen-seventies.