War Propaganda Questions
1. What is the function of the propaganda? What is the message it is trying to portray? What
words and images emphasize the message of the propaganda and how is the message affected?
The function of the propaganda is to persuade an audience about to take a certain opinion about
the war. Most of the propaganda tries to portray a message of joining and supporting the war
effort in order to help the country as a citizen. Many of the posters contain pictures of soldiers in
battle or military machinery and have words that call for help from citizens which might allow
for audiences to interpret the propaganda as a civic duty to help the military’s effort.
2. If none of the war propaganda occurred during World War I and World War II, how might
have the wars been different for the United States?
If there was no war propaganda, then either war may not have had as much support from since
the propaganda would help boost national morale of the war. The United States might not have
had a collective effort to support the military from citizens saved scraps and grew victory
gardens. There might also have been less enlistment from men as the propaganda might have
called them serve in the armed forces which could have made a difference in battle as there could
have been less soldiers to fight with. Overall, though the wars did have high support, especially
World War II after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, so I feel that without the propaganda, the
United States still would have won the wars.
3. What are some of the themes that the propaganda contains and promotes? How do these
themes relate to nationalism, patriotism, xenophobia, and war?
The propaganda contains the themes of American pride, civic duty, family, work, and sacrifice.
Nationalism and patriotism play a large part in the propaganda as many posters contain colors of
the United States flag, and emphasize how important it is for every citizen to be involved in the
war effort. The emphasis on nationalism also contains xenophobia as the propaganda attempts to
portray American ideals and values and portray the enemy as a villain who is outright evil and
must be defeated. The propaganda does try to heighten national pride, but it also casts the
opposition in a negative light as they are considered different from what the United States
portrays as right.
4. How would you view this propaganda if you were a solider fighting in the war or even a
soldier fighting for the opposing side such as a soldier for Nazi Germany or Japan?
If I was a soldier of an opposing country, I would find the propaganda that portrayed my home
country in a bad light to be offensive and degrading as it does not accurately the country’s
citizens. I would feel that the United States does not like me or my fellow soldier as the
propaganda only supports the United States and casts me as a villain.
5.The propaganda is trying to persuade audiences to either support the war or not. What are the
pros and cons of the propaganda?
The propaganda does allow for citizens to have a sense of national unity and pride and increase
war efforts through solider recruitment which can help a nation during war as it needs support
from citizens. However the propaganda does promote fighting and opposition of others which
can develop a hatred of the enemy and a “us versus them” mentality. The promotion of war also
costs lives as propaganda often asks for citizens to enlist and risk their lives.
6. If you had to design propaganda to persuade audiences, who would you target as your
audience and what elements would you include in your propaganda in order to engage your
audience?
If I did design propaganda, I would try to target a general main audience, but for the sole purpose
of trying to enlist more troops, I would target my propaganda towards young men who could
enlist. In the propaganda, I would place images of a man and a woman and state how it’s
important to defend the ones you love including your country. I would also place colors of the
American flag and images of a bald eagle to incorporate American symbols into the work.
7. The propaganda rallied moral and financial support for the World War I and World War II. Do
you think it is a good or bad thing that the propaganda was able to gain support and why?
The propaganda was a good thing as it was able to gain support for both World War I and World
War II and helped finance military operations during the war. I think it was a good thing that the
United States had support during both wars since the United States did defeat its enemies. I feel
that the propaganda was a good thing as it spread patriotism and civic duty throughout the
country.
8. If you were a citizen of the United States and you saw war propaganda posters during war,
how do you think you would feel and why? Would you have certain emotions such as feeling
patriotic, nervous, or even resentful? Why so?
I think I would feel motivated to perform some action for my country even if it was just growing
a victory garden or saving scraps as my efforts would be helping in some way. I would feel
nervous as I might have to enlist since my life would be put at risk.
9. What imagery is used in the propaganda and why is it effective or not in persuasion of a war?
The propaganda contains imagery of national symbols such as eagles and American flags,
soldiers, a family, and military machinery in many of the posters. The propaganda is effective as
it shows images that could easily appeal to an American citizens which could strike up the
emotions of patriotism and nationalism which in turn would support the war effort.
10. How is war propaganda different during the 1920’s and the 1940’s than it is today? What
makes it different and what is the result of the differences?
War propaganda is different today than it was during the World Wars as they focus more on
soldier enlistment and support for military members and their families than on defeating a certain
enemy and promoting secrecy for protection. The result of these differences is that wars tend not
to have as much support then in the early 1900’s and there is a lessened focus on nationalism and
the military being a civic duty, but more as a volunteer service.
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