Educator Resources

Powers of Persuasion - Poster Art of World War II

Background

Guns, tanks, and bombs were the principal weapons of World War II, but there were other, more subtle, forms of warfare as well. Words, posters, and films waged a constant battle for the hearts and minds of the American citizenry just as surely as military weapons engaged the enemy. Persuading the American public became a wartime industry, almost as important as the manufacturing of bullets and planes. The Government launched an aggressive propaganda campaign to galvanize public support, and some of the nation's foremost intellectuals, artists, and film makers became warriors on that front.

Time required:

One to two class periods

Objective:

To analyze poster art of World War II.

The Documents

Posters from the Powers of Persuasion exhibit in the Online Exhibit Hall

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