PROPAGANDA POSTER ACTIVITY World War II

INTRODUCTION Popular support for World War II was garnered by imagery used in newspapers and posters. This phenomena is known as propaganda. Propaganda posters played a major role in World War II. We will analyze these examples and then you will be given the opportunity to create your very own piece of propaganda from the country of your choice.

CLASS ACTIVITY  We will be looking at eight posters and determining what the purpose, or goal, of each poster is. Also consider how the poster went about trying to reach its goal.

GOALS OF PROPAGANDA POSTERS  Recruitment of soldiers: Posters aimed at recruitment attempted to get men to join the army and fight for their country.  Conservation of goods: These posters encouraged people at home to conserve goods so that they could be used by soldiers in the war.

GOALS OF PROPAGANDA POSTERS  Purchasing of war bonds: These posters advocated the purchase of war bonds, which would help the government fund the war.  Support for the war at home: These posters encouraged people not in the army to become involved in the war at home by joining organizations or working in industries related to the war effort.

TOOLS (METHODS) USED IN PROPAGANDA POSTERS  Catchy phrases: Posters often used catchy phrases or slogans in order to stick in the memory of the people who saw them.  Appeals to patriotism: Displaying symbols of the country was a strategy used in propaganda posters, and could include anything from flags to symbols such as eagles.

TOOLS(METHODS) CONT.  Demonization of the enemy: Another strategy involved a direct attack on the enemy. In these posters the enemy is portrayed as a demonic figure that is often doing things that no moral human being would do.  Half-Truths/Half-Lies: These posters used inaccurate information in an attempt to persuade viewers.

TOOLS(METHODS) CONT.  Caricatures: These posters portray the enemy in a ridiculous fashion and make them appear as if they are not human.  Appeals to emotion: These posters attempt to create an emotional response in the viewer, who will then be compelled to act.  Name Calling: These posters resort to insults or name calling directed at the enemy.

PROPAGANDA POSTERS Poster 1

PROPAGANDA POSTERS

WAR PROPAGANDA  Look at the following website. It provides examples of propaganda used during WWII  n/powers_of_persuasion_home.html n/powers_of_persuasion_home.html  archive/ww2era.htm#Posters archive/ww2era.htm#Posters  ex.html ex.html

CREATING YOUR OWN POSTER Procedure: Your next task will be to create your own/partner propaganda poster from the country of your choice. You will need to write a one page rationale explaining why you chose the goal and the tools you used to reach that goal on the poster. The rationale must include: The goal of their propaganda poster. The tools used to reach that goal. An explanation for what their poster has to do with their country of choice.

PROPAGANDA RUBRIC World War II Propaganda Poster Project Rubric Use of Class Time (20 points) /20 Oral Presentation (10 points) /10 Poster Design (30 points) /30 Rationale (40 points) /40 TOTAL (100 points) /100 Comments: