Propaganda during this time is very similar to that of World War I because of the view given to the army, but it has changed in the sense that it no longer attacks people’s fears as much. In this image we see that the soldiers are still viewed with admiration and importance. The idea that the soldiers are superior to the audience gives the people a sense of obligation to do what ever they can to help them. In this case rather than giving the people fear, the creators are giving them obligations and duties. The creators are also distinct from those of World War I. Instead of propaganda being used solely for military purposes, it is also used for other purposes, like the use of rubber. Even though this is still related to military because the rubber is being saved for them, it still is a different kind of purpose. This new approach of getting people to feel obligated to help can be much more efficient than trying to scare people.
I agree with you that these new World War 2 posters no longer play on people's fears and hatred, but on their wants and lusts. And while there is a shift in how propaganda is used in new posters, overall, the army still plays on people's emotions to have them help the army, whether it be directly in the battle front, or indirectly, at the home front.
ReplyDeleteI agree that WWII propaganda was more focused on getting support in other areas besides the military. However, I think that both WWI and WWII propaganda was used to make people feel obligated to help the war effort--just in different ways. WWI propaganda attacked pride (or masculinity) while WWII propaganda tried to show some logic (such as with this poster).
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The poster itself gave me a chuckle (yes i chuckle.) Its odd to think that even the tires on your car effect the war effort. I agree with your point that getting people excited about helping in the war-effort is more effective than just scaring them. Its almost like getting people to jump on the bandwagon. Its contagious.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree that World War I propaganda was much more focused on recruiting people to join the army, where as the propaganda posters from World War II were more focused on getting supplies to the soldiers and getting people to support the army. But I think that they both used the idea of obligation and duty. Many World War I posters stated that it was "your duty" to enlist in the army and fight for the country, and few that I have seen used fear to force the people into the army.
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