Download Propaganda Techniques

CHC2D1 Unit 3 Evaluation: Wartime Propaganda Poster Assignment
Date Assigned:__________________
Date Due:______________________
Introduction: To most people, the word “propaganda” has negative connotations. In
times of war propaganda is often associated with individuals or organizations whose
intentions are suspect. Propaganda posters were used during World War II as a way of
influencing the way people thought. Wartime propaganda was aimed at four main targets.
For each of these targets a specific message was emphasized:
Target
1) The Enemy
2) The Allies
Message
Eventual defeat.
Example: This propaganda poster suggested that
a sustained effort on the home front in producing
armaments would lead to the eventual defeat of
the Nazis and Japan Therefore the target of this
propaganda poster is the Axis powers.
Unity, loyalty, victory.
Example: This propaganda poster is targeted to
the Allies. This is the case because it stressed
the importance of a united Allied war effort in
defeating the Axis powers.
3) Neutral
Countries
Encouragement to support the Allied cause.
Example: Targeted to neutral countries, this
propaganda poster stressed the importance that
Canadian soldiers played in the Allied war
effort.
4) Home Front
The need for sacrifice in order to be victorious.
Example: This propaganda poster stressed the
importance of producing food for the war
effort. The target, therefore, is the home front.
Instructions: This assignment is divided into three (3) parts:
1) Part One: Analysis of a Propaganda Poster
Select one of the four (4) attached propaganda posters and answer the following questions
in paragraph form:
1. Who is the intended target of this propaganda poster? (Use one of the four targets
on the previous page) Explain.
2. What is the message of the poster (recall: propaganda is used to convey a certain
belief or attitude about something. In other words, what is the belief that this
propaganda poster is attempting to encourage?)
3. How is the message relayed? (In other words what symbols, images, and words are
used to convey the poster’s message).
4. Using the handout “Propaganda Techniques,” identify two (2) propaganda
techniques that are used in your chosen poster and explain how they are used.
5. What emotions are aroused by this poster? How would a poster like this affect you
if you were living in this time period?
*Note: Be sure to explain your answers. One sentence answers are not sufficient.
2) Part Two: Creating your own Propaganda Poster
Your task is to create an original propaganda poster in regards to some aspect of World
War II. This assignment is meant to be a creative and individual way for you to express
your understanding of the effectiveness of propaganda during World War II. Your poster
should include the following elements:
1. The subject of the propaganda poster can be anything related to the war effort
(rationing, recycling, war bonds, civil defense, military recruitment, patriotic
support of the military, etc.)
2. Your poster should be historically accurate and include elements that will make it
appealing, noticeable, and effective in its message (i.e. it should be colourful,
include pictures, and a strong and clearly stated message).
3. Most important, you must incorporate in your poster at least two of the propaganda
techniques outlined in the handout “Propaganda Techniques.”
3) Part Three: Analyzing Your Propaganda Poster
Once your poster is complete, answer the following questions in complete questions:
1. Who is the intended target of your propaganda poster? Explain
2. What message are you trying to convey through your poster? (recall: propaganda is
used to convey a certain belief that this piece of propaganda is used to convey a
certain belief or attitude about something- what is the belief that your propaganda
poster is attempting to encourage?)
3. Explain what two (2) propaganda techniques are used in your poster.
*Note: Be sure to explain your answers. One sentence answers are not sufficient.
Propaganda Techniques
1) Appeal to authority: Appeals to authority cite prominent figures to support a position
idea, argument, or course of action. For example, Nazi Leader Adolf Hitler appeared on a
number of posters during World War II rallying Germans to fight for their “Motherland.”
2) Appeal to fear: Appeals to fear seek to build support by instilling fear in the general
population. For example Nazi Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels used American
Theodore Kaufman’s book Germany Must Perish! as proof that the Allies sought the
extermination of the German people.
3) Argumentum ad nauseam: Uses tireless repetition. An idea once repeated enough
times, is taken as the truth. This is a form of brainwashing. For example, American war
posters constantly repeated that all Japanese were “back stabbers” and “rats.”
4) Assertion: Assertion is commonly used in advertising and modern propaganda. An
assertion is an enthusiastic or energetic statement presented as a fact, although it is not
necessarily true. They often imply that the statement requires no explanation or back up,
but that it should merely be accepted without question.
5) Bandwagon: Bandwagon propaganda is, essentially, trying to convince the subject that
one side is the winning side, because more people have joined it. The subject is meant to
believe that since so many people have joined, that victory is inevitable and defeat
impossible.
6) Common man: The “plain folks” or “common man” approach attempts to convince the
audience that the propagandist’s positions reflect the common sense of the people. It is
designed to win the confidence of the audience by communicating in the common manner
and style of the audience. Propagandists use ordinary language and mannerisms in
attempting to identify their point of view with that of the average person.
7) Direct order: This technique hopes to simplify the decision making process. The
propagandist uses images and words to tell the audience exactly what actions to take,
eliminating any other possible choices. For example Allied propaganda posters told men
“It’s your duty” to join the army.
8) Lesser of Two Evils: The “lesser of two evils” technique tries to convince us of an idea
or proposal by presenting it as the least offensive option. This technique was used during
World War II to convince people of the need for sacrifices or to justify difficult decisions.
9) Slogans: A slogan is a brief, striking phrase that may include labeling and stereotyping.
Although slogans may be enlisted to support reasoned ideas, in practice they tend to act
only as emotional appeals. For example in order to persuade British farmers to produce
more food for the war effort, the British government introduced a number of posters
during the Second World War bearing the slogan “Lend a Hand on the Land.”
10) Stereotyping (Labeling): This technique attempts to arouse prejudices in an audience
by labeling the object of the propaganda campaign as something the target audience fears,
hates, or loathes. For example all Japanese-Canadian citizens were termed “spies.”
CHC2D1: Propaganda Poster Rubric
Category
Level 4
80-100%
Level 3
70-79%
Level 2
60-69%
Level 1 5059%
or Below
Knowledge/
Understanding
Demonstrates a
high degree of
knowledge of
propaganda
techniques used
in World War
II.
Demonstrates
considerable
knowledge of
propaganda
techniques used
in World War
II.
Demonstrates a
moderate level
of knowledge
of propaganda
techniques used
in World War
II.
Demonstrates
minimal
knowledge of
propaganda
techniques
used in World
War II.
Demonstrates a
high degree of
technique and
creativity both
visually and in
the expression
of ideas.
Demonstrates
considerable
technique and
creativity
visually and in
the expression
of ideas.
Demonstrates a
moderate level
of creativity
visually and in
the expression
of ideas.
Demonstrates
minimal
creativity
visually and in
the expression
of ideas.
Communication Communicates
information
trough the use
of symbols and
visuals with a
high degree of
clarity.
Communicates
information
trough the use
of symbols and
visuals with
considerable
clarity.
Communicates
information
trough the use
of symbols and
visuals with
moderate
clarity.
Communicates
information
trough the use
of symbols
and visuals
with limited
clarity.
Identifies,
explains, and
incorporates
two
propaganda
techniques with
a high degree
of
effectiveness.
Identifies,
explains, and
incorporates
two
propaganda
techniques with
a considerable
degree of
effectiveness.
Identifies,
explains, and
incorporates
two
propaganda
techniques with
a moderate
degree of
effectiveness
Identifies,
explains, and
incorporates
two
propaganda
techniques
with minimal
effectiveness.
Thinking/
Inquiry
Application
Total
Comments:
/80
Mark
/20
/20
/20
/20
Part One: Propaganda Posters
Figure 1: “She Serves that Men May Fly:
Enlist Today in the RCAF,” 1942.
Figure 3: “Lick them over there! Come
on Canada!” Department of Public
Information, Ottawa, 1942.
Figure 1: “We Can Do It!” (Rosie the
Riveter), Westinghouse for the War
Production Co-ordinating Committee, 1942.
Figure 2: “Avenge December 7, U.S.
Office of War Information, 1942.