American propaganda during World War II
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article or section may be inaccurate or unbalanced in favor of certain viewpoints. Please improve the article by adding information on neglected viewpoints, or discuss the issue on the talk page. |
 |
This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. Please improve this article if you can. (February 2007) |
In World War II propaganda, one of the main goals of American propagandists was to portray the Germans and Japanese as anything but human. By attributing animalistic and demonic characteristics to their appearance, propagandists attempted to dehumanize wartime enemies and galvanize the public against them.
Contents |
[edit] Examples
[edit] WARNING!
This example of American propaganda shows the Japanese on the left side and the Germans on the right. Each dons their respective symbol (swastika, naval ensign). The Japanese are depicted with monkey-like characteristics with a bloodthirsty stare in their eyes. The Germans are shown with features identical to Adolf Hitler. Each is holding a weapon of destruction; a bloody knife in the hands of the Japanese and a Luger in the hands of the German. The two enemies are hovering over the United States.[1]
[edit] KEEP THESE HANDS OFF!
This portrays the Germans and Japanese as evil and the Americans as angelic. The image of the innocent woman holding her defenseless baby appeals highly to the patterns of the American population. The black claws are identified as Japanese and German through the use of war symbols. The message sent is that through buying war bonds you are helping to protect the valued women and children of America. [2]
[edit] STAMP 'EM OUT!
This image is another portrayal of the evil of both the Japanese and Germans, who are identified by their respective symbols and are portrayed as snakes, with Mussolini portrayed as a puffed-up bullfrog.[3]
[edit] See also
- Propaganda in the United States
- Soviet propaganda during World War II
- Nazi propaganda
- Walt Disney's World War II propaganda production
