Why did we use Propaganda during World War II?
During World War II, many countries including the United States used propaganda to gain support for the war. What is propaganda? Propaganda is defined as “information, ideas, or rumors deliberately spread widely to help or harm a person, group, movement, institution or nation.” (dictionary.com) Propaganda can be expressed in various forms such as posters, artwork, films, song lyrics, and even cartoons. Propaganda is used to alter people’s perceptions on the war as well as on stereotypes of genders during this time as well. One of the key features of propaganda during wartime is its attempt to appeal to the basest of human emotions and ideals, whether it’s noble human desires like justice and freedom, or less noble ones like hatred and fear. (Toptenz ).
Why did we use propaganda during World War II and how did we go about encouraging Americans to join the war effort? Two of the main themes of propaganda during the war are defense and patriotism. Propaganda didn’t begin until after the bombing of Pearl Harbor because many people didn’t believe that a war was coming and just how close we were. Persuading Americans to support the war effort soon became a wartime industry which was just as important as producing weapons and ammunition for the war. Most common pieces of propaganda were “loose talk”,conservation, civil defense, war bonds, victory gardens, the roles of women, and anti-German scenarios. It was also, “used most effectively, propaganda turns the symbols and values of the enemy against them”.( Pavia 1994, 671). Propaganda was used by every country as a defense mechanism against their enemies to show their strength and support for their country. War is no longer only between soldiers on a battlefield but between nations and their ideas. And in order to make a whole nation of people support the war with mind and spirit, there needs to be influence. That influence is propaganda. (Navarro ).
Why did we use propaganda during World War II and how did we go about encouraging Americans to join the war effort? Two of the main themes of propaganda during the war are defense and patriotism. Propaganda didn’t begin until after the bombing of Pearl Harbor because many people didn’t believe that a war was coming and just how close we were. Persuading Americans to support the war effort soon became a wartime industry which was just as important as producing weapons and ammunition for the war. Most common pieces of propaganda were “loose talk”,conservation, civil defense, war bonds, victory gardens, the roles of women, and anti-German scenarios. It was also, “used most effectively, propaganda turns the symbols and values of the enemy against them”.( Pavia 1994, 671). Propaganda was used by every country as a defense mechanism against their enemies to show their strength and support for their country. War is no longer only between soldiers on a battlefield but between nations and their ideas. And in order to make a whole nation of people support the war with mind and spirit, there needs to be influence. That influence is propaganda. (Navarro ).