World War II US Propaganda Poster-Media preparedness

World War II was a global war disaster. The United States played a key role in it, from its initial opposition to participation in the war to its active preparation and participation in the war and support for the Allies’ postwar reconstruction.

Out of Sight – Open Your Eyes, America. 

The poster published in July 1941 by the painter Jean Callou, warned the American public with a manner rarely attitude. An imminent war seemed inevitable. Unfortunately, most Americans remained indifferent until Pearl Harbor. But the United States was not always positive about the need to go to war to resist aggression; however most people including politicians, were optimistic and anti-war, with a mindset and perception that war was far. It was only with the Pearl Harbor attack that American politicians and the public realized that war was coming and that the United States was actively preparing for it.

Before that, there was too much work need to do, such as agricultural and industrial production, recruitment for all branches of the military, and so on. All of this required the unity and cooperation of the nation, and this is where the importance of the media came into play.

Give it best to her. ( Office of War Information poster,1941)

We are now in this war (Office of War Information,1941)

 They’re shooting at your Liberty (General Electric Company, 1942)

 You mean democracy to these people ( Office of War Information, 1942)

We’re going to do our part.. and we’ll win because we’re on God’s side( Office for Emergency Management, 1942)

In June 1942, with the victory at Midway, Roosevelt signed Presidential Decree 9182 on June 13, establishing a new agency called the Office of War Information (OWI), which would be responsible for all kinds of wartime propaganda, news reporting, and warning notices. 

The Office of War Information was created as a new agency responsible for all types of wartime mobilization, press coverage, and early warning. The first of these efforts undoubtedly served as a confidence-booster and morale booster. One of the more notable examples was the launch of a flag campaign on the Fourth of July, in which the cover of a magazine was changed to the American flag to boost public morale, and the flag campaign was extremely successful. The success of the flag campaign had a significant impact on the United States during World War II.

A HOUSE AND GARDEN COVER OF AN AMERICAN FLAG COVERS( ALLEN SAALBURG, 1942)

At the same time, the Office of War Information work in full swing from all sides. In addition to collaborating in the creation of a large number of propaganda films, the main responsibilities of this department included reviewing the content and design of government posters. In fact, the Wartime Information Service was involved in the design of most of the future posters. Before that, however, there was a great disagreement within the wartime press service on the concept of poster design, but with the majority of any, eventually the style of the wartime press service propaganda posters closer to the style of commercial advertising. Subsequently the American Advertising Association also cooperated and joined in the production and propaganda of war posters. To encourage designers to produce high-quality posters, the National Wartime Poster Design Competition, led by the domestic Artists For Victory and Council For Democracy, was held on August 15, 1942 at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. The competition attracted more than 400 designers with a total of 2,224 posters which will be displayed in cities across the country, and the morale and determination they inspire will be immeasurable.

Remember Dec 7^th! (1942)

Long May it Wave(National Association of Manufacturers, 1942)

Long May it Wave(General Electric Company,1942)

Americans will always fight for liberty (Bernard Perlin, 1943)

Avenge December 7^th     (Bernard Perlin, 1943 )

Sacrifice – The Privilege of Free Men ( 1942)

Strong in the strength of the Lord. We who fight in the people’s cause-we will never stop until that cause is won. (David Stone Martin, 1942)

Carry on! (New York NS Company,1942)

“Oh Lord, we are thankful that You made us all Americans” (The National cash Register Company, 1943)

What so proudly we hailed.. (1942)

freedom from want and fear: “Everywhere in the world.” F.D.R.(Works Progress Administration,1942)