Information used to manipulate behavior or belief Information used to promote a particular cause or point of view › One-sided › Information, rumors, allegations, ideas
The Office of War Information (OWI), the Treasury Department, branches of the armed forces, recruitment offices, etc. used propaganda to persuade the American people to support the war effort Hollywood also produced propaganda to persuade the people to support the war
Remember, this is a total war, so everyone’s contribution is needed › Everyone needs to be persuaded to: Support U.S.’s involvement in the war See the enemy as hateful/evil Contribute to the war effort
In the 1940s television is not yet common so mediums used for propaganda were: › Radio › Cartoons (watched in cinemas) › Movies › Posters
You’re a Sap, Mr. Jap, released By Famous Studios. Popeye takes on the Japanese Navy › Der Fuehrer’s Face, released By Walt Disney Productions. Donald Duck has a nightmare that he lives in Nazi Germany › How do these cartoons portray the Japanese and Nazis, respectively? How might audiences have responded to these animated shorts?
Name-calling Fear Glittering generalities: words/ideas you cannot argue against The transfer: transfer the status of one thing to another Testimonial: an important or famous figure’s support Band Wagon: everyone is doing it!
Title of the poster: 1. Describe the poster 2. What techniques does the poster use? 3. What is this poster trying to convince you to do? 4. What does the poster say about the war? About the enemy?
Title of the poster: 1. Describe the poster 2. What techniques does the poster use? 3. What is this poster trying to convince you to do? 4. What does the poster say about the war? About the enemy? Name-calling Fear Glittering generalities: words/ideas you cannot argue against The transfer: transfer the status of one thing to another Testimonial: an important or famous figure’s support Band Wagon: everyone is doing it! Questions : Techniques