Propaganda played a large role in the United States, and the world, during the second world war. Posters, radio, and film were very common and important tools of propaganda employed by the major players in the conflict in both defensive and offensive strategies. In many ways the "powers of persuasion" referred to by Hitler were demonstrated in American poster art from World War II. The American public supported the isolationist policy of the U.S. government following World War II. Many were unhappy with the inability of the U.S. to maintain a lasting peace after World War I, and still on the heels of a major depression, the majority of Americans did not want to be involved in another war.
Although most Americans were in strong support of those european democracies fighting the Axis Powers, some isolationist extremist groups advocated neutrality and some pro-Nazi sentiment. Throughout the 1930s, Americans simply wanted to remain isolated from the conflict in Europe. Of course, public opinion quickly changed on December 7, 1941 with the attack of Pearl Harbor, and propaganda became an important factor in the U.S. war efforts in Japan and Europe. Official government propaganda seems to encounter several idealogical problems in a democratic society where diversity, independence, free speech, and free press are encouraged. Franklin Roosevelt realized the problems that could be caused by exposure of governmental exaggeration in political propaganda. Before July 1941, FDR's Fireside Chats were the only form of official government influence regarding the war in Europe.
In July 1941 and shortly thereafter, several authorized government agencies began studying the American public and presenting propaganda messages. The Office of War Information (OWI), the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), the U.S. military, and the private sector all created their own approach to convey their messages. There were many struggles, specifically between the OWI and the OSS Morale Operations Branch, over the nature of propaganda in a democratic society at war. Studies by social scientists showed that almost one-third of the American population had some mistrust of the Allies and were willing to accept a separate peace with Germany as late as 1943.
Regardless of the differences and lack of total unity in the public opinion, the overwhelming majority of American propaganda promoted a similar message in similar ways. American propaganda followed Hitler's idea that propaganda should not force thought but force the acceptance of simple ideas. The emphasis in American poster art was to convey the evil of facism, contrast American values with those of the fascists, convince Americans that there was immediate danger from fascism, encourage production and quality, and justify their sacrifice.
Short simple messages combined with patriotic colors, national symbols, and American heroes promoted unity and patriotism. The social realism and experimental modernism in early artistic efforts gave way to the bold, conservative realism of such artists as Norman Rockwell. Posters literally painted the picture of the enemy as an evil empire of monsters, while American men and women were models of strength, power, and decency. Overall, from posters discouraging careless talk to those encouraging Americans to buy war bonds, U.S. propaganda during World War II promoted unity and an individual feeling of importance in the war effort.
Laurie, Clayton D. The Propaganda Warriors: Americaźs Crusade Against Nazi Germany
Winkler, Allen M. The Politics of Propaganda: The Office of War Info. 1942-1945
selections from the collection of Kenneth W. Rendell. With Weapons and Wits: Propaganda and Phychological Warfare in World War II
