10 Famous World War II Propaganda Posters

Woman workers by Alfred T. Palmer from Wikimedia Commons

10 Famous World War II Propaganda Posters

In influencing public opinion and mobilising support for the war effort during World War II, propaganda was a key component. As they could be mass-produced and disseminated quickly and widely, propaganda posters were a potent tool. The purpose of these posters was to incite patriotism, raise morale, and demonise the adversary. They included striking graphics and strong statements.

These were put up in public locations like train stations, schools, and workplaces and frequently included catchy words and imagery that people would remember long after they had seen them.

In this article, we will look at 10 well-known World War II propaganda posters that made a big difference in the war effort. Each of these images, from Rosie the Riveter to the “V for Victory” poster, had a different impact on how people thought and behaved during this turbulent time in history.

1. “We Can Do It!”

One of the most well-known pictures from World War II is the “We Can Do It!” poster, popularly referred to as the “Rosie the Riveter” poster. The 1943 poster, which was created by artist J. Howard Miller first intended to persuade women to accept industrial employment when the war was still going on and many men were fighting overseas. A woman wearing blue business attire and a red bandana to tie up her hair is seen on the poster. She has a determined look on her face and is flexing her bicep.

Since then, the “We Can Do It!” poster has been utilised in a variety of contexts, from advertising campaigns to political protests, and has emerged as an iconic representation of female empowerment. The woman pictured on the billboard is sometimes misidentified as Rosie the Riveter, a made-up character from a song of the same name. Nevertheless, the “We Can Do It!” image was actually commissioned by the Westinghouse Electric Corporation, and the woman in the billboard is believed to be based on a photograph of a factory worker called Geraldine Hoff Doyle.

2. “Keep Calm and Carry On”

Keep Calm and Carry On Poster by Evertype from Wikimedia Commons

The British government first created the motivational poster “Keep Calm and Carry On” in 1939, at the start of World War Two. In the case of a national emergency, such as a German invasion, the poster was meant to be circulated to the whole public. The poster, however, was never extensively disseminated and was only briefly displayed in public before the initiative was shelved.

For many years, the “Keep Calm and Carry On” poster was mostly forgotten until a duplicate was found in a used bookstore in the early 2000s. The public connected with the poster’s straightforward, upbeat message, and it quickly spread throughout the world. The poster has since been copied and parodied, and its message of tenacity and perseverance has been used to support a wide range of causes and goods.

3. “Loose Lips Sink Ships”

A propaganda slogan from World War II, “Loose Lips Sink Ships,” was intended to educate Americans on the value of maintaining the secrecy and avoiding casual conversation throughout the conflict. The US Office of War Information first employed the catchphrase in 1942 to increase public awareness of the risks associated with sabotage and espionage.

The tagline was often accompanied by a picture of a ship sinking or another image illustrating the point that talking back may have catastrophic repercussions. The purpose was to raise awareness that even seemingly innocent material could be accessed by adversary spies and exploited against the war effort.

4. “Buy War Bonds”

Poster by National Archives at College Park from Wikimedia Commons

During World War II, the slogan “Buy War Bonds” was widely used to persuade people to buy government-issued bonds in order to support the war effort. Just a few months after the United States entered the war, the campaign was started in 1941, and it ran all the way through the fighting.

The “Buy War Bonds” campaign was very successful, and it is believed that the sale of war bonds contributed to the war effort by raising close to $200 billion. While residents were urged to assist in the war effort in whatever manner they could, the campaign not only helped to raise much-needed finances but also contributed to a feeling of national unity and purpose.

5. “Dig for Victory”

Poster by Ministry of Information from Wikimedia Commons

The British government started the “Dig for Victory” propaganda effort during World War II in 1939. In order to combat food shortages and support the war effort, the initiative tried to urge individuals to cultivate their own food. The campaign was started in reaction to the fear of food shortages brought on by the German naval blockades and the requirement to refocus resources on the war effort. The initiative urged individuals to cultivate fruits and vegetables in their yards, allotments, and other places where they had access to land in order to augment their diets and feed the country.

In addition to phrases like “Grow More Food” and “Your Garden Matters More Than Ever,” the “Dig for Victory” campaign’s posters often included pictures of vegetable patches, allotments, and other forms of small-scale farming. Besides offering guidance on how to grow and store food, the posters also offered suggestions on how to maximise scarce resources. Ultimately, the “Dig for Victory” campaign was a crucial instance of propaganda used during a war to enlist popular support and meet an urgent national need. The campaign is seen as a lasting illustration of the ability of propaganda to influence public attitudes and behaviour because of its message of independence and ingenuity, which is still applicable today.

6. “This is the Enemy”

The American Office of War Information initiated the “This is the Enemy” propaganda campaign during World War II in 1942. To mobilise support for the war effort and to foster a sense of national solidarity, the campaign intended to dehumanise and condemn the opponent.

The Axis nations, which included Germany, Italy, and Japan, were the primary targets of the campaign. Images and descriptions of the adversary that stressed their cruelty, contempt for human life, and ideological radicalism were featured in the propaganda. The intention was to instil in Americans a sense of moral superiority and to strengthen their will to annihilate the enemy at any cost.

The “This is the Enemy” campaign was extremely successful at fostering a sense of national cohesion and commitment, as well as a strong sense of patriotism among Americans. Yet, it also contributed to the larger intolerance and prejudice that pervaded society throughout the war, and in light of more recent initiatives to encourage diversity and tolerance, it is today seen critically.

7. “V for Victory”

“V” for Victory by Wikimedia Commons

The British government started the “V for Victory” propaganda campaign during World War II in 1941. The goal of the campaign was to boost spirits and spark resistance to the Nazi conquest of Europe. The “V” hand sign was used during the campaign and came to represent the idea of triumph against the Axis nations.

The campaign was very successful, and because of its popularity during the war, it came to represent resistance and hope. A variety of media, such as posters and radio broadcasts, supported the “V for Victory” campaign as well, helping to disseminate the word about resistance and raise morale among both Allied forces and civilians.

8. “Back Him Up”

The American government began its “Back Him Up” propaganda campaign during World War II in 1942. The programme sought to foster a sense of national unity among Americans and increase popular support for the war effort. The goal of the campaign was to drive home how crucial it is to assist the nation’s leaders and the war effort in whatever manner imaginable.

The “Back Him Up” campaign’s propaganda frequently included pictures of soldiers and government representatives together with calls for Americans to contribute to the war effort. The campaign was very successful, and it contributed to the strong spirit of nationalism and patriotism that were crucial to the eventual Allied victory.

9. “Careless Talk Costs Lives”

Careless Talk Costs Lives by J Weiner Ltd from Wikimedia Commons

The British government started the “Careless Words Costs Lives” propaganda campaign during World War II in 1940. The effort was designed to prevent people from discussing private military information in public since it might be overheard by spies working for the enemy. A variety of slogans and pictures were used in the propaganda to underline the value of maintaining the secrecy of military information.

The “Careless Talk Costs Lives” campaign was very successful at instilling discipline and accountability in the British people. Posters, radio shows, and even short films were used to support the campaign through a variety of media. The campaign left a lasting impression on the military of today, where caution and confidentiality are still highly regarded.

10. “Rosie the Riveter”

The United States government initiated its “Rosie the Riveter” initiative during World War II in 1942. The campaign’s goal was to get more women to work in the defence sector so that the war effort could continue while men were abroad fighting.  Rosie the Riveter, a fictional character that stood in for the numerous women who accepted work in factories and shipyards, was featured in the campaign’s iconic image. Images of strong, competent women performing traditionally male-dominated tasks were frequently used in the propaganda associated with the campaign, along with messages encouraging women to contribute to the war effort.

These ten well-known World War II propaganda posters are but a small selection of the many posters that were produced throughout the conflict. They stand for a variety of messages and tactics, such as enticing women into labour, demonising the opposition, and encouraging the buying of war bonds.

All of these posters were created with the intention of influencing public opinion and rallying support for the war effort, despite their different strategies.

You can also read 10 Famous Women of the World War II