World War II Racism & Propaganda

Propaganda 1.Information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote or publicize a particular political cause or point of view. 2.The dissemination of such information as a political strategy.

Posters, Songs, & Rallies Office of War Information Encouraged Americans to support the war in many ways

Anti-Japanese Propaganda Newspapers, magazines, posters, and films portrayed the Japanese as evil monsters and monkeys—the Japanese were dehumanized as America’s enemy.

History Anti-Japanese sentiment existed during the yellow-peril of the late 19 th Century, rose to new heights during WWII, and during the 1980s. Magazines, newspapers, and government agencies, fueled the anti-Japanese sentiment during the Second World War. Life Magazine, May 1944 

Racist anti-Japanese propaganda during World War II relied on the notion that race was a biological construction, and that there were biological differences between the Japanese and Chinese races, even down to the amount of facial hair they’re able to grow (see Life Magazine above)..

December 22, 1941 Time Magazine “How to Tell Your Friends From the Japs” “Japanese—except for wrestlers— are seldom fat; they often dry up and grow lean as they age.” “Japanese are hesitant, nervous in conversation, laugh loudly at the wrong time.”

Conflicting images

Government & Hollywood President Roosevelt set up the Office of War Information ( ) Bureau of Motion Pictures Frank Capra, director, worked directly under George Marshall to promote the war

Movie clips Why We Fight (Donald duck) (Bugs Bunny) Purple Heart (1944) Gung Ho (1943)

Movie Clips Government film 1945