Print Media and the Propaganda War

Paper Summary:

The paper supports the thesis that the American media used print materials to influence the American public during World War II, and that it still employs these techniques used to influence the public today. The paper also looks at examples of German propoganda and shows how the Germans had different agendas inherent in their campaign. The paper includes full color images of posters used as propoganda during the war.

Outline:
The Need to Rally Support
Using Demographics to an Advantage
The German Propaganda Effort
The Office of War Information
Freedom of Press
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"From 1939 to 1941, the Axis powers retained the upper hand, with the first part of the period referred to as "the phony war" by the media. Hardly a short was fired and the action was political, rather than violent. Americans knew of the conflict, but during this period it was of little concern. It was something happening far away to someone else. Americans may have seen the war as horrible, as with any war, but the full impact of World War II had yet to hit home. Some of the most memorable images from the time are that of Winston Churchill, who had the power to stir his people into action with his words alone."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bytwerk, Randall, "Nazi and East German Propaganda Guide Page". Calvin College.German Propaganda Archive. Calvin Universtiy. http://www.calvin.edu/academic/cas/gpa/posters2.htm
• Ellis, R. Getting the Message Out: The Poster Boys of World War II, Part 2. Government Archives. Summer 2005, Vol. 37, No. 2. http://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2005/summer/posters-2.html
• Floyd McKay, "Propaganda: America's Psychological Warriors", The Seattle Times, February 19, 2006.
• Herman, E. and Chomsky, N. Manufacturing Consent. Pantheon Books, 1988.
• Keppler, V. Wanted! For Murder. NARA Still Picture Branch. (NWDNS-208-PMP-91). 1944. Nat'l Archives and Records Administration (NARA) (2007). Powers of Persuasion. Retrieved November 27, 2007 from http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/powers_of_persuasion/hes_watching_you/images_html /wanted_for_murder.html

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