WW2 Propaganda Art: Art That Convinces

For the most part, art has been used mainly for aesthetic reasons. After all, art can be pretty to look at and quite visually appealing. However, it has also been used to push messages; used to invoke emotions and feelings. No better is this displayed than with propaganda. And, in regards to propaganda, no war amplified the use of it like World War Two. 

During the Second World War, 20 million posters were produced and 200,000 designs were made. The US Office of War Information, a US federal agency, was the leader of this effort to produce and distribute this propaganda. Through their designs, they were able to amplify the war effort, both overseas and at home.

The most famous propaganda piece of the second World War was the “I Want You” poster. The poster, which depicts Uncle Sam pointing at the viewer, was created by James Montgomery Flagg in 1940. Though it was technically created before the US joined World War Two, it was a key factor in gaining soldiers and building up the army. In fact, the army grew to 189,839 and this particular piece of propaganda no doubt helped this dramatic increase. Following the US’ joining of the war, other propaganda posters asking for soldiers followed suit, helping the military significantly. 

Meanwhile, propaganda pieces also attacked the enemy and portrayed them as monsters. They were a part of a series of propaganda posters called “This is the Enemy”. This not only made people fear the enemy further, but also feel more incentivized to fight them. For example, in 1943, a “This is the Enemy” poster was created depicting a Nazi stabbing a Bible with a knife. Back then, the US was an incredibly Christian nation, while Nazi Germany was a nation that was trying to erase the religion. This piece deeply upsetted many Americans, and helped fuel American resolve. One “This is the Enemy” poster displayed Adolf Hitler, leader of the Nazis, being surrounded by a storm of flames as he overlooked a dead American mom and crying child beside her. Another “This is the Enemy” poster depicted a Japanese soldier trying to stab a woman.

However, while there were many posters directed for the military, there were also many posters made for those remaining at home. After World War Two began, many men went overseas to fight. This left many vacant spots at military-manufacturing factories. Due to this, many women began to take these open spots. The piece that helped convince many women to work these jobs was the famous “Rosie the Riveter” poster. In this poster, a female factory worker is displayed, flexing her muscles.  Created in 1943 by J.Howard Miller, the poster has not only become one of the most iconic pieces of propaganda, but Rosie herself has become a significant symbol of feminism. 

All and all, WW2 propaganda significantly shaped the US’s outcome in WW2. Not only did it help build the US’s military, it also strengthened the effort at home, convincing many women to work in factories. Through this art, the US prevailed in WW2, and the propaganda posters will forever be some of the most influential art in history.