WWII: The Art of Persuasion

United States Propaganda

What is propaganda?

• What is the first thing to come to mind?

• Definitions?• Modern examples? • Be prepared to fill

in the bubble chart on the board.

propaganda

What is propaganda?

• What is the first thing to come to mind?

• Definitions?• Modern examples? • Be prepared to fill

in the bubble chart on the board.

propaganda

Company advertisement biased

exaggerated

political

McDonalds ALT 98.7

radio

Themes in propaganda

• Good vs. Evil• Racism• Appeal to Emotion• Public effort • Patriotism• Glittering Generalities• Fear• Advertising

Which themes can you find?

Which themes can you find?

Propaganda in Music• Access to radios was

widespread• Connected troops to

life back home• Radio programs

provided entertainment, but music mainly tagged patriotism or the emotion of war

• Bing Crosby, Sammy Kaye, Louis Armstrong

Propaganda in Music• Sammy Kaye, “Remember Pearl Harbor”VerseHistory in ev’ry century records an act that lives forevermore.We’ll recall, as into line we fall, the thing that happened on Hawaii’s shore.

ChorusLet’s remember Pearl HarborAs we go to meet the foe.Let’s remember Pearl HarborAs we did the AlamoWe will always remember how they died for liberty.Let’s remember Pearl HarborAnd go on to victory.

Propaganda in Film• From cartoons to

big Hollywood movies

• Documentaries: This is Why We Fight

• Made to be informative, entertaining, patriotic

• Donald Duck in “Der Fuehrer's Face”

Propaganda Analysis Activity

• Break into groups of 4• Go over set of posters for your group• Discuss and fill out graphic organizer as a

group– Interpret and compare each poster side by side

• Be prepared to share your findings with the class.

Propaganda analysis worksheet

Propaganda Activity Set #1

Propaganda Activity Set #2

Propaganda Activity Set #3