World War Two: Posters Worth A Thousand Words - Google Arts & Culture (2025)

FAQs

What was the main purpose of World War II posters such as this? ›

Posters were produced to encourage and inspire Americans, but also to warn, scold, and scare Americans as well. They used psychological tactics, guilt, and emotions to appeal to the patriotism and loyalty of the public.

The poster was a major tool for broad dissemination of information during the war. Countries on both sides of the conflict distributed posters widely to garner support, urge action, and boost morale.

Perhaps the most iconic was the Uncle Sam poster, created by James Montgomery Flagg and captioned: "I Want You for the U.S. Army." Flagg actually created the poster during World War I, and due to its enduring popularity, it was used again during World War II with some minor modifications.

One of the most famous depictions of Uncle Sam during this period was created by artist James Montgomery Flagg for a U.S. Army recruiting poster during World War I. The U.S. government printed millions of these posters during World War I and used the image again during World War II.

Some images illustrated over-the-top caricatures against ethnic groups associated with the enemy. These bred distrust and racism against foreigners and fellow Americans alike. Others inspired the civilian U.S. population to contribute to the war through rationing, farming, and joining the work force.

"Rosie the Riveter" was an iconic poster of a female factory worker flexing her muscle, exhorting other women to join the World War II effort with the declaration that "We Can Do It!" The “We Can Do It!” poster was aimed at boosting morale among workers in the World War II factories producing war materiel.

Join Your Country's Army! This is perhaps the most famous poster from the First World War, and shows Field Marshal Lord Kitchener, appealing for people to join the British Army.

During World War II, U.S. government agencies produced and distributed countless pamphlets, posters, and other materials with the express intent to increase support for the war effort.

To successfully influence public opinion in favor of the war, the CPI produced films, commissioned colorful posters, published books, and pamphlets, took out advertisements in newspapers and recruited everyday Americans to speak to their communities and “sell the war.” This barrage of patriotic messaging served to ...

"We Can Do It," "Loose Lips Sink Ships," and "I Want You" are sayings that have become ingrained on the American consciousness.

How many propaganda posters were made in ww2? ›

Almost 200,000 different designs were printed by the U.S. during World War II.

Together We Can Do It “Keep Em' Firing,” General Motors Corporation. Oldsmobile Division, 1942. Wartime posters utilized graphics arts and advertising to persuade Americans that the home front and the factories were also an important aspect of the war effort.

During the War of 1812, the United States Army received supplies from a variety of organizations and individuals, one of which was Samuel Wilson, a meat packer from Troy, New York. He labeled his barrels of beef with “U.S.” to indicate U.S. government property, but soldiers referred to the “U.S.” as Uncle Sam (Wilson).

Final answer: The World War II poster's main purpose was to encourage citizens to volunteer to help support the war effort by becoming 'citizen soldiers' and engaging in activities that would aid the nation's ability to effectively fight the war.

"Uncle Sam" is a personified representation of either the United States federal government or the United States of America in general.

Hitler's conquest of the Balkans was a precursor for his real objective: an invasion of the Soviet Union, whose vast territory would give the German master race the “Lebensraum” it needed. The other half of Hitler's strategy was the extermination of the Jews from throughout German-occupied Europe.

The Treasury Department designed among the most vibrant posters during the war for the “War Bond” drives. Bonds and stamps were instrumental in financing the war and provided a mechanism to help citizens feel involved on the home front.

Some simply aimed to promote patriotism and to encourage public support of the war. However, many took this aim a step further by encouraging enlistment, promoting Liberty Bonds, and recruiting volunteers for a variety of work on the home front.