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