World War II Propaganda

What is Propaganda? According the National Archives: Power of Persuasion: “Guns, tanks, and bombs were the principal weapons of World War II, but there were other, more subtle forms of warfare as well. Words, posters, and films waged a constant battle for the hearts and minds of the American citizenry just as surely as military weapons engaged the enemy. 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 with clearly articulated goals and strategies to galvanize public support, and it recruited some of the nation's foremost intellectuals, artists, and filmmakers to wage the war on that front.”

Popular World War II Propaganda

Propaganda/Persuasive Techniques Lets come up with some examples!

Attaching a negative label to someone – tearing the opponent down. Name- Calling! Attaching a negative label to someone – tearing the opponent down.

Using a symbol to express an idea (positive or negative). Transfer Using a symbol to express an idea (positive or negative).

Doing something because everyone else is... Bandwagon Doing something because everyone else is...

Everything is “black and white” there is no middle/gray. Either/Or Fallacy Everything is “black and white” there is no middle/gray.

Placing someone in a group based on a single characteristic. Stereotyping Placing someone in a group based on a single characteristic.

Slogans Catchy phrases...

What do these words mean? Assertion Scapegoat Ideology Bias Opinion Persuasion Assumption

What else might be important when studying Propaganda?