World War 2 Poster Analysis

During World War II, propaganda was an ideal and important part in making American citizens boost much production upon war efforts, at work, and at home. Most propaganda within the U.S. followed six main themes that were controlled by the Office of War Information, or the OWI, that helped make citizens on the home front become more active in helping the war. These six themes that the posters followed were: The Nature of the Enemy, The Nature of our Allies, The Need to Work, The Need to Fight, The Need to Sacrifice, and lastly The Americans. Each encouraged people, in their own ways, to aid in any way they can with the war, and the most convincing was inside of the work place, where many American went during the war. Many posters conveyed

started to produce more and more, and many men that worked in the factories were drafted into the army, leaving open jobs. With such high demands came propaganda that would call for one unlikely group of people, who were believed that their place was inside the home, women. One poster that delivered “The Need to Work” theme greatly and was able to be “… shouting at people from unexpected places with all urgency...” (Every Citizen a Soldier) was the “Soldiers Without Guns” poster. This poster depicted three strong and proud looking women who work attire for jobs usually given to men, such as welding or a factory job. The poster successfully encouraged women to take on such jobs because if the ladies in the poster were able to look this strong and have such equality, then any women could too. When it depicted the equality for women, it pushed other women to go out and find work because that was one thing wanted during that time. The propaganda successfully conveyed a convincing message because women would see it and be drawn to the idea of the equal opportunity for jobs and fill the much needed openings. These jobs that needed workers to aid the war effort eventually were filled up by millions of women, “…the female percentage of the U.S. workforce increased from 27 percent to 37 percent, and by 1945 nearly one out of every four married women worked outside the home.” ( www.history.com). The need for work was not

Work was an important factor, at this time, of whether we could win the war or not. Three important posters successfully convinced the public in deciding to go to work because of the open opportunities in work for women, the production of war arms to protect our national security, and of the encouragement that working would help win the war. These three posters were the “Soldiers Without Guns”, the “Warning! Our Homes Are in Danger Now!”, and the “Help Win the War, Squeeze in One More” and they each convinced our nations at this time the importance of work. Propaganda had a big impact during that time to help mobilize our nation and show them the “The Need to Work” was just as important on the home front as it was being out there on the battle field. Together Americans, with the help of these three posters, found the many countless ways why work was so significant in the aid to winning this