Visual Propaganda During World War II: A Key Element of Communication and Persuasion on the Societies of Germany and the United States

    Communication through visual propaganda was crucial to the success of the United States Army during World War II.  Visual propaganda exerted a strong influence on the American public; just like the wartime industries including the manufacturing of ammunition and planes, visual propaganda established itself as a wartime industry as well. An aggressive campaign was launched by the United States Government that communicated the goals and strategies that were vital to gain the a strong support from the public. 

       Posters were used as communicating tools by the U.S. government to gain appeal by the American public.  The masculinity of U.S. men was a key theme depicted in posters that promoted patriotism. On these posters, strong men and heavy machines were illustrated to show that America expressed its strength well to the public. "American muscle" was a theme held to high standards by propaganda artists.  Posters also encouraged the American people to conserve items like gasoline, rubber, sugar, butter, and meat.  Posters showed the extreme shortage of these certain supplies and expressed that nearly all of the materials were being sent to troops engaged in the war.  Just as some posters were designed to encourage Americans to do their part, others were made to play upon the public's fear of the enemy. Many posters depicted Americans in immediate danger, constantly in the shadow of the Axis powers. Other posters showed images that glorified and glamorized the roles of working women.  Throughout the war, women were portrayed as attractive, confident individuals eager to help in the war.

        The United States achieved its greatest results through its leaflets.  Seven million leaflets were dropped by U.S. planes every week during WWII.  The U.S. had numerous reasons for dropping leaflets; some were dropped on troops in an attempt to weaken the moral of the troops; some warned the enemy that there were overpowering odds against them; others were dropped over enemy territory to report news of allied production and battle victories.  Leaflets dropped over Germany were often falsified or aggrandized to insert fear into the enemy .  On occasion, leaflets would warn civilians of attack.  Safe conduct passes (passes that allowed the enemy to surrender safely) were used to persuade the enemy into submission