There are several different ways to acquire the attention of the public. Just as a company would advertise a product to attract it's target market, in time of war, the United States has done the same. The Poster Art from World War II marketed to three main groups being men, women, and the community as a whole. These posters were used to rally up support for the war using several different psychological approaches, each used to persuade different groups of the public. For men, masculinity was a strong theme. Many posters displayed muscle built men operating mighty machines.
"American muscle was presented in a proud display of
national confidence ." Due to the
swift shift in roles played by women during wartime, posters were designed to
encourage women to go out and contribute to their country's fight to win the war.
Many women went from being homemakers to working in defense industries, civilian
service and the armed forces. " Publicity campaigns were aimed at those women
who had never held jobs.
The image of the factory worker was a strong theme. "Rosie the
Riveter-the strong, competent woman dressed in overalls and a bandanna-- was
introduced a symbol of patriotic womanhood." 
These types of posters were used to persuade women to take on this role by
revising the image of the " feminine ideal." Posters were also aimed towards the
community in general to keep them aware of their actions such as their food an
fuel consumption. Such posters advocated car pooling, food rationing and
material conservation. " Government publicity reminded people that shortages
occurred because the materials were going to the troops and that civilians
should take part in conservation."
The use of patriotic symbols and colors such as Uncle Sam and the American Flag decorated in red, white and blue were used to keep people motivated and proud. " These posters motivate by instilling in the viewer patriotism, confidence and a positive outlook"*. On the same note, negative posters displaying dark grim images of war such as American corpses, gravestones or even enemy eyes piercing down at you were powerful in that they were able to instill fear and anger, kept the American people motivated to keep fighting and created a unity that kept them working together. ".. these images appeal to the darker impulses, fostering feelings of suspicion, fear and even hate."
The posters designed during World War II were powerful devices used to keep the country working and fighting together to win the war. Everyone had a role to play. These posters displayed the images of what that was for everyone by using different psychological approaches.
