American Journalist
American wartime propaganda covered all arenas - all items of the spectrum.
As stated in the "Introduction", historian John Dower determined that
American journalists, cartoonists and artists depicted the Germans and
Japanese quite differently in their respective propaganda posters, cartoons,
and postcards.
Anti-German and Anti-Japanese propaganda was evident even in American
cartoons, such as Popeye and the animal medley of the Warner Brothers
animations. Children's author Dr. Seuess drew political cartoons urging
Americans not to hide their head in the sand like ostriches and remain
willfully ignorant of Hitler's power.
The American government warned against "loose lips" in itsposters,
admonishing its citizens to be careful of what they say out loud because the
Japanese spies were listening (many Japanese-Americans were held in
internment camps), and warned them that not recycling was giving the
Japanese an advantage.
The U.S. Government urged its citizens to invest in the War and support the
U.S. Military by buying war bonds. In many posters, the message was implied
that the very sake of the war depended on American citizens buying bonds
from its government! It also implied to its female citizens thatlonging for
their husbands to come home would not bring them back - but getting a war
job (any vocation devoted to supporting the economic needs of the U.S.
Military) would end the war sooner.
An important distinction between the USA and the other two roles is that
there was overwhelming support for the war at its beginning which was
maintained, to a great degree, for the duration of the war. The mobilization
towards war revitalized the United States economy and pulled America out of
its Great Depression. Also, Unlike Great Britain and Germany, the United
States was not attacked on the home front to any considerable degree after
the attack on Pearl Harbor.
However, support for the war was not absolute, and President Roosevelt and
the members of his War Cabinet certainly would have wanted it to be.
Historians have proven that many U.S. Presidents (including John F. Kennedy,
for example) have had close relationships with the Editors in Chief of
powerful newspapers.
Imagine that your boss is the Editor in Chief of the New York Times (or its
equivalent) in WWII. He has received a message, he tells you, from President
Roosevelt, which says that support for the war has max'd out at 70%. The
President finds this number unacceptable and he wants your boss to change
it. Your boss has assigned the task to you, stating that you must find a
propaganda image that will rally support for the war and bring that number
up to at least 85%. Remember the "Task" as it is described on the page of
the same name, above, and good luck!
Internet Links for American WWII Propaganda
Powers of Persuasion - This link leads to some WWII American Propaganda
Posters which have very detailed descriptions, organized into categories.
Exceptionally memorable is an abstract-style painting called "The Sowers",
depicting a Nazi figure as some sort of New World Grim Reaper.
Powers of Persuasion - American Propaganda WWII posters
PSYOP Organization - This link will lead to a unique and fascinating site
depicting leaflets that were dropped from planes on the Japanese enemy to
demoralize him. Propaganda stating things like "The War in Europe is Over",
showing a Japanese soldier reading a leaflet were meant to make the Japanese
enemy long for the war's conclusion in the Pacific. How could you manipulate
and use such images in the United States...?
PSYOP Organization
WWII Posters - General: A wide variety of WWII posters of all kinds in
the "thumb" form. Click on the miniature version to see the enlarged version.
WWII Posters - General
Philadelphia Print Shop - This link has American WWII posters along with
notes detailing their origins. One of the most memorable here encourages
Americans to "Remember December 7th!". The theme is very similar to bumper
stickers reminding us to "never forget" Sept. 11, 2001. What do you
think...? Take a look.
Philadelphia Print Shop
The Villification of Enemy Leadership in WWII - This link provides various
forms of propaganda, including novelty games and Hitler stamps, all created
by the Allied Powers in WWII, and all intended to ridicule, demonize or
dehumanize the leaders of the Axis Powers, including Emperor Hirohito,
Hitler and Mussolini. This link also provides in-depth background
information about the purpose of this particular form of propaganda.
The Villification of Enemy Leadership in WWII
Other Resources for American Propaganda in WWII
Check out your local library and bookstore for these titles, which give you
more background information on the power of persuasion with propaganda and
the importance of morale among citizens during wartime.
"War Without Mercy: Race-Hatred in the Pacific War" by John Dower
"V Was For Victory: Politics and American Culture During World War II" by
John Morton
"The War in American Culture : Society and Consciousness During World War
II" by Lewis A. Erenberg
"Don't You Know There's a War On? The American Home Front, 1941-1945"
by Richard R. Lingeman