1. Written by Miles O’Keefe
painting the other side:
Perspectives Through Propaganda
Written by Miles O’Keefe

2. The images throughout this book are all actual propaganda posters used in the years surrounding World War II. The aim of this book is to demonstrate that while the United States and Germany painted themselves to be very different from one another, their propaganda posters were almost identical. Through this work I hope my readers will be able to better understand the manipulative nature of war and propaganda.

3. In an effort to keep military secrets confidential, artist John R
In an effort to keep military secrets confidential, artist John R. Holmgren created this poster. This 1942 image depicts an American serviceman trying to impress an attractive girl with talk about the war. You’ll notice that sitting adjacent to the couple is a disguised Hitler listening in.

4. This poster was created by artist Theo Matejeko in 1939
This poster was created by artist Theo Matejeko in It served as German propaganda reading, “Achtung Spione – Vorsicht bei Gesprächen!“ which translates to, “Attention Spies- Beware of Conversations!“
This encouraged the German public to be weary of their conversations, for the enemy may be listening!

5. This poster depicts Uncle Sam encouraging the American public not to discuss troop movements, ship sailings, and war equipment. Failure to follow his warning could have resulted in the endangerment of American troops. This image was created in 1943 by artist Leon Helgura.

6. Similarly to the previous image, this 1940 German poster displays a German serviceman with his index finger pressed firmly against his lips, thus indicating silence. The caption reads, “Vorsicht! Schweigepflicht!” which translates to “Caution! Confidentiality!” Therefore both governments placed a heavy emphasis on keeping military plans confidential.

7. Thomas Woodburn created this 1940 image, depicting lady liberty as an angelic and pure figure. She is wrapped in the American flag and holds out an olive branch in her right hand symbolizing the fight for peace. She has been strategically placed above the clouds and looking downward on the many generations of American servicemen. This poster was most likely used to promote army recruitment.

8. This image titled “Es lebe Deutschland,” which translates to “Long Live Germany,” was created in 1932 by artist F. Stauber. Stauber. Stauber depicts Adolf Hitler as an angelic leader triumphantly holding the Nazi flag. The beam of light and soaring eagle in the background symbolize divine rule and a blessed Germany.

9. This graphic was created in 1942, and used to attract women to the war effort. It features a young woman receiving her nursing cap from a man with a stars-and-stripes motif on his cuffs. This particular poster targeted the young women of New York City. Did you notice the address?

10. The image pictured here translates to, “Join the German Red Cross,” and presumably targeted young German women. The nursing profession was not only vital to the German war effort, but it was also viewed as a glamorous job. As a result, becoming a nurse for the German Red Cross was highly sought after by young women. The nurses were often near the frontlines, for hospitals were required to be stationed no more than 9 miles away from the fighting.

11. This poster was created by artist C. R. Miller in 1943
This poster was created by artist C. R. Miller in It displays American ideals crumpled up and burning at the hands of a Nazi. This image was a sure-fire way to increase nationalism and bolster the war effort on American soil. The poster depicts Germany as a monstrous threat to the American way of life.

12. This piece was published by the Dutch SS – Storm Magazine in 1944
This piece was published by the Dutch SS – Storm Magazine in Titled “Liberators” it is designed to produce anti-American sentiment. The small print at the bottom reads: “De USA zullen de Europeesche Kultuur van den ondergang redden", meaning "The USA wants to save European culture from decline". There are also many motifs critiquing American culture throughout the image. Can you name a few?

13. This is perhaps the most recognizable piece of propaganda ever created
This is perhaps the most recognizable piece of propaganda ever created. Artist James Montgomery Flagg designed this poster to serve as the cover for the July 1916 issue of Leslie’s Weekly. Between the years over four million copies of this recruitment poster were printed and distributed. The image was designed for World War I, however due to its popularity it was later adapted for use in World War II.

14. This poster reads “Auch Du,” which translates to “You Too
This poster reads “Auch Du,” which translates to “You Too.” This served as a recruitment poster for the Hitler Youth movement in The audience for this propaganda piece would have been young men.
The image displays a young German boy standing tall and proud, while the background reveals a silhouette of the heroic soldier the boy will soon become.

15. The following photographs exhibit the effect propaganda has had in both the United States and Germany.
The picture (right) displays nine young American men waiting outside an Army Recruitment center in Dallas. (January 1946)
This photograph (left) shows Adolf Hitler visiting a group of boys enlisted in the Hitler Youth program. They have their arms outstretched saluting their Führer, or leader.

16. References
Cover Background by artist Mark Karvon was taken from
Page 1
Hitler poster taken from
- Uncle Sam Sleeve Rolled image taken from
Page 2 – Loose Lips Sink Ships (1943) by John R. Holmgren Image taken from
Page 3 – “Achtung Spione – Vorsicht bei Gesprächen“ (1939) by Theo Matejko. Image taken from:
Page 4 – “I’m counting on you!” (1943) by Leon Helguera. Image taken from:

17. References
Page 5- “Vorsicht! Schweigepflicht!” (1940) by Unknown. Image taken from
Page 6 – “The United States Army Then. Now. Forever.” (1940) by Thomas Woodburn. Image taken from
Page 7 - “Es Lebe Deutschland” (1932) by F. Stauber. Image taken from
Page 8 - “Become A Nurse Your Country Needs You” (1942) by American Nurses Association, Nursing Information Bureau . Image and information taken from
Page 9 - “You can also help! Become a Member of the Red Cross!” ( ) by Deutschen Rotes Kreuz (German Red Cross) Image and content taken from

18. References
Page 10 – “We’re Fighting to Prevent This!” (1943) by C. R. Miller. This image was taken from
Page 11 – “Liberators” (1944) by Dutch SS – Storm Magazine. This image was taken from
Page 12 – “I Want You for the U.S. Army” (1916) by artist James Montgomery Flagg. Image and information taken from
Page 13 – “Auch Du” ( ) artist unknown. Image and information taken from

19. References
Page 14
– Top Right Photo taken from
– Bottom Left Photo taken from

20. The End