What is Propaganda and How is it Used?
Propaganda is information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, that is used to promote or publicize a particular political cause or point of view.
British
"Tittle Tattle Lost the Battle" is another way of saying "loose lips may sink ships." The British Government is warning their people to keep quiet about all of their war plans, because there may be Nazi spy's listening.
The British Ministry of Information was created in 1939 to help generate and control British propaganda. Soviet Propaganda
"Long live Red Army of workers and peasants - the true guard of the Soviet borders!"
Joseph Stalin, the leader of the Soviet Union from 1924- 1953, used propaganda to shape an image of himself as someone his people would want as a leader. Making himself appear as close to that of an Orthodox Saint Stalin gain a great follower ship. During the war Stalin continued to use media, he showed Hitler as a beast and the Soviets as strong heroic soldiers who would demolish Nazi Germany. |
German/Nazi
Hitler Youth campaign poster. Translation reads: "Children what do you know from the leader (Hilter)?"
The Reich Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda was created in Germany to help control propaganda. Most propaganda for Nazi Germany campaigned and promoted their country by headlining the issues of their enemies, as the United States, Britain,France, the Soviet Union, etc., antisemitism (prejudice against Jewish people) and encouraging patriotism from their people. They showed the growth and improvement the country was going through and featured German expansion rather than invasion. |
United States
Uncle Sam, named after an American business man during the War of 1812, became the symbol of the American government. The labels Uncle Sam and U.S. became interchangeable and were even adopted by U.S. Congress.
The poster above highlights the goal of most United States propaganda, to motivate and recruit people for the U.S. Army. In 1942, the U.S. created The Office of War Information, which was used to spread propaganda and promote the war effort, militarily, medically, industrially, and through conservation. Italian Propaganda"Enlist in the Legion Italian" The poster above is an Italian enlistment propaganda featuring an Italian solider holding out a knife asking for help.
Most Italian propaganda during the second World War was Benito Mussolini showing his support for Nazi Germany. It worked to gain his countries support, and to arm Germany with strong military allies. |
More Propaganda Images
Propaganda Links:
Video Clips
The Eternal Jew, an anti-sematic documentary style film overseen by the German Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda to portray the Jews as a "parasitic" race.
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Anti-Nazi cartoon by Walt Disney for support of the war effort.
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