WWII Domestic Propaganda

April QuaidMatthew Gabriel

- Unknown 1942- Symbols

- Death- Destruction- Torture- Brutality- Violence- Fear

- “This is the Enemy”- Distortion/exaggeration of

physical features to make enemy appear to be villainous, frightening or monstrous

- Meaningful object is being threatened or destroyed

- Use of metaphor to dehumanize enemy

“THIS IS THE ENEMY”

Propaganda Types &Techniques• Agitative

– Nature of image reveals its intent to trigger an emotional reaction in the audience (horror, disgust, fear, anger)

• Black – Source is not revealed– Image intended to promote negative perception of the Japanese in an attempt

to demonize the enemy.

• Technique– Keeps it Simple– Stigmatize/Demonizes Enemy– Uses incisive phrase– Relies upon myth and history to exploit conscious & unconscious feelings within

the public psyche

Themes 1) Forming who the Enemy is.

2) Scenes of Violence and Destruction

3) Victimization of Women

-Women as Symbolic Representations of the Nation

Enemy Archetypes

What are some of the “Enemy Archetypes” that you notice in this poster?

Enemy as Destructive

Enemy as Stranger

Enemy as Death

Enemy as Torturer

Enemy as Vermin

Enemy as Merciless

The Enemy: Dehumanized

“Violence and Destruction”

What feelings do you think were sparked in the viewers of this

Domestic Propaganda ad back in 1942?

What other affects do you think were the results of this sort of Propaganda when it came to ‘American attitudes towards

Japanese?’

Moral Panic? Fear?

Internment Camps?

Violence and Destruction

Femininity and the Victimization of

Women

Who does the woman represent?

What is the intent for the artist use this technique?

Femininity and the Victimization of Women

Helpless Victims?

Other Symbols

Helpless “People” Hanging

Homes or Structures Burning

Victims Executed in Public

Black Boots, Black Pistol, Black Uniform

Questions?