With World War II now more than sixty years ago, it's easier to appreciate the propaganda posters of the era for their artistic merit. Allied posters of the age aimed to influence citizens to enlist in the military, buy war bonds, join the workforce, and sacrifice in ways that many people in the U.S., Australia, the United Kingdom, and elsewhere have a hard time imagining today. But the tactics employed in many of these posters and adverts were wildly successful in building national pride and support for the war effort, and today are cherished for their campy nostalgia and patriotic messages.
The posters below are the best of the best from the WWII era. Left out are many of the more offensive posters (of which there are plenty of examples). Looking through these can help give us a better understanding of what life during war-time was like a few generations ago.
Remember that propaganda posters were, in reality, sales tools. Their aim was to sell the citizenry as a whole on the war, and to get them to participate actively in the war effort in various ways. Study the motivational tools they use: pride, fear, patriotism, and a sense of duty.
Enlistment Posters
Enlistment posters aimed to entice young men to join the armed services. For the most part, they played on the desires of young men to be thought of as "men", and on feelings of national pride.
Your Place is Here!
O'er the Ramparts We Watch
Of the Troops and For the Troops
Where Skill and Courage Count
He Volunteered for Submarine Service
We Clear the Way
Gee!! I Wish I Were a Man
Ready
Smack 'Em Down!
Fly
Serve
Sub Spotted - Let 'Em Have It!
The U.S. Marines Wants You
War Bonds and Rationing Posters
War bonds were necessary to fund the war, and so most of these posters went after feelings of national pride and responsibility. Some posters also played on fear and anxiety to encourage citizens to purchase war bonds, and implied that if you didn't buy as many as possible, that you were unpatriotic.
Don't Let That Shadow Touch Them
Save Freedom of Worship
Could You Tell Him You're Tired of Buying War Bonds?
A Crop That Never Fails
Lend to Defend His Right to be Free
Keep These Hands Off!
Now All Together
Attack Attack Attack
Even a Little Can Help a Lot - NOW
Stamp 'Em Out
Do With Less
To Have and to Hold!
Triumph Over Tyranny!
It's Smart to Save!
Next!
The Sky's the Limit
Hasten the Homecoming
Get a Thrill, Give a $5 Bill
Buy War Bonds
National Service and Pride Posters
These posters encouraged service, volunteerism, and national pride, often playing on one's sense of patriotism and responsibility to entice more contributions.
More Firepower To 'Em
Like Digging a Foxhole
Britain Shall Not Burn
Land, Sea, and Aire, We're Over There
Send Airgraphs
Closed for the Duration
Loose Talk Can Cost Lives
Loose Talk Can Cause This
Quiet!
Loose Talk Can Cost Lives
OURS...To Fight For
This is the Enemy
Americans Will Always Fight for Liberty
Disaster
Keep America Rolling
Millions of Troops Are On the Move
When Your Ride Alone You Ride with Hitler!
Work- and Output-Related Posters
These posters encouraged factory workers and others to increase their output and production rates, generally by tying their efforts in directly with the war abroad.
Plant More Sugar Beets!
Keep That Lumber Coming!
Your Metal is on the Attack!
Fast and Steady Speeds My Lathe
Keep 'Em Firing
More Production
Help Harvest
Posters Aimed at Women
Women played a huge part in WWII, both through military and civilian service. These posters played on a sense of duty and national pride to encourage women, especially young, single women, to get more involved.
We Can Do It!
Of Course I Can!
Be a Cadet Nurse
She's a WOW
War Gardens for Victory
Become a Nurse
For Your Country's Sake Today
Be A Marine
She's a WOW
Volunteer for Victory
Woman's Place in War
Join the WAC Now!
Woman's Place in War
Wanted More Navy Nurses
Enlist in a Proud Profession
Victory Waits On Your Fingers
Woman's Place in War
I'm Proud of My Two Soldiers
Be With Him at Every Mail Call
Good Soldier
I'm In This War Too!
Other Posters
Some propaganda posters don't fit neatly into the categories above, often dealing with building a sense of hatred toward the Axis forces, or a sense of anxiety and fear.
Let's Catch Hime With His "Panzers" Down!
He's Watching You
No Medicine for Regret
This is Trench Foot
I Believe...
United We Are Strong
What do YOU say, AMERICA?
Smoking Stacks Attract Attacks
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