World War II Posters - Designed to Rally the Home Front
This
page highlights a handful posters that were created during WW II..
Below you will find a brief history about the purpose of the posters
during that particular war time.
When
Britain and France went to war with Germany in 1939, Americans were
divided over whether to join the war effort. It wouldn’t be until the
surprise attacks on Pearl Harbor in December 1941 that the United
States would be thrust into World War II. Once U.S. troops were sent to
the front lines, hundreds of artists were put to work to create posters
that would rally support on the home front.
Citizens
were invited to purchase war bonds and take on factory jobs to support
production needs for the military. As men were sent to battlefields,
women were asked to branch out and take on jobs as riveters, welders
and electricians.
To
preserve resources for the war effort, posters championed carpooling to
save on gas, warned against wasting food and urged people to collect
scrap metal to recycle into military materials. In the spring of 1942,
rationing programs were implemented that set limits on everyday
purchases. While
many posters touted positive patriotic messages, some tapped fear to
rally support for the Allied side and caution against leaking
information to spies. “Loose lips sink ships” became a famous saying.
Meanwhile, graphic images depicted a blood thirsty Adolph Hitler and
racist imagery of Japanese people with sinister, exaggerated features.
Today,
the posters offer a glimpse into the nation’s climate during World War
II and how propaganda was used to link the home front to the front
lines.
(Source: Transcribed from www.history.com/news/world-war-ii-propaganda-posters-photos-united-states-home-front)
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