Themes & Transformations

Propaganda from WWI and WWII reveals major cultural shifts in national identity, gender roles, fear and enemy portrayal and more. These posters not only reflect the values and anxieties of their time while also showing how governments adjusted their messages to fit evolving social contexts. 

Fear

Both WWI and WWII used fear to get people to act—but the way they did it changed. In WWI, posters like "Don't talk, Spies Are Listening" warned people that if they said the wrong thing, it could help the enemy. It made people feel like spies were always around, listening. By WWII, fear was still being used, but it was more used as a guilt tactic. The "When You Ride Alone, You Rise with Hitler!" poster made people feel bad for not carpooling. The message of fear changed from "watch out for spies" to "don't be careless or you'll hurt the country".

Gender Shifts 

WWI and WWII posters show a big change in how women were seen. In WWI, the "Gee!! I Wish I Were a Man" poster showed a woman wanting to join the Navy, but only men could at that time. It was meant for men to feel proud enough to enlist and perhaps a little guilty that women couldn't. In WWII, women were shown doing important work The "We Can Do It!" poster with Rosie the Riveter told women they were strong and just as needed as men. Women were finally a part of the war instead of wishing that they could help. This shift shows how the war helped change ideas about what women could do. 

Unity

The idea of unity changed between the wars: in WWI, posters mostly showed a white, male version of what it meant to be American. But in WWII, the "United We Win" poster showed a black man and a white man working together on a plane. That was a big deal during a time where segregation was still common. The poster sent a message that winning the war meant everyone, no matter their race, had to work as one team. It was a more inclusive way of showing patriotism, even though real-life equality was still far off. 

Enemy Portrayal

The way propaganda showed the enemy really changed from WWI to WWII. In WWI, enemies were made to look like monsters. The "Destroy This Mad Brute" poster is a good example. It's definitely over the top and meant to scare people by alluding to the fact that the enemy is wild, dangerous and inhumane. It pushed the idea that Germans were brutal animals who had to be stopped. By WWII, posters still warned about the enemy but in more subtle ways. Instead of showcasing the enemy as a physical monster, they often made the "enemy" more about everyday actions and personal responsibility. 

Key Argument

The primary difference we noticed between the posters was the tactics used in order to persuade the American public. WWI relied on convincing people to join the war effort. The posters reflected the traditional values of heroism and performing your duty for your country. On the other hand, WWII posters reflected a vision of national unity and a collective effort. As time went on and American society progressed in social issues, the propaganda also became more modern and inclusive. The posters shifted their focus towards encouraging everyone not just soldiers. This included working in factories, conserving resources, or helping at home. All in all, the evolution of propaganda mirrored the changes in society itself. With new ways the wars were fought, advancements in technology and media, and the social awakenings of the time, propaganda became more multifaceted, adapting to the needs of a changing nation.