American Propaganda during World War II

Paper Summary:

This paper explores the tactics and tribulations that American propaganda employed and faced during World War II against the Nazis. Comparisons are given at the beginning of the paper with just how effective the Nazi propaganda machine was in destroying a nation's morale before military action and how this clearly weighed on the minds of American political leaders at the time. Quotes and excerpts are given throughout the paper from declassified documents from the OSS and OWI, all lending credence to the idea that America's first priority in terms of propaganda was eliminating the concept of an all-powerful Nazi state. The latter half of the paper gives specific examples and discusses them all in great detail. American film, radio broadcasts, posters, cartoons, and magazine ads are all examined and given as proof of how American propaganda sought to dehumanize and discredit the Nazi regime in order to strengthen the will to fight the Nazis. The concept of morality is heavily discussed, with many propaganda examples containing an idea of American superiority over Germany.

From the Paper:

"When Adolf Hitler declared war on the United States on December 11th, 1941 after the attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese, America was confronted with the prospect of fighting a war in both Europe and Asia. A stream of propaganda against the United States followed the declaration of war from Nazi Germany, and America responded throughout the war with equally strong propaganda that could be found in a variety of mediums. From the traditional war posters, the more modern idea of magazine ads and the growing influence of Hollywood, American propaganda was vital in winning the war against Nazi Germany by strengthening the public's resolve at home and weakening the Nazis psychological grip over Europe."

More papers on American Propaganda during World War II:

• Analytical Essay # 85448 : "World War II Film Propaganda"
• Research Paper # 95432 : "Truman's Rhetoric During the Cold War"
• Research Paper # 109659 : "Print Media and the Propaganda War"

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