During the summer of 2024, our outreach assistant, Sterling Bryant, curated an exhibit on propaganda before leaving to pursue his Master’s degree with Virginia Tech’s Department of history. He did a spectacular job and this has been one of our most popular exhibits. This blog post translates the exhibit into digital form so that we can share it more easily online.
This exhibit explores the powerful role of propaganda as it was used during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The items featured here include pamphlets, posters, books, and artifacts which illustrate how governments, political parties, social movements, and others employed propaganda to sway hearts and minds during some of the most tumultuous periods in history.
Curated By
Sterling Bryant, SCUA Outreach Assistant; Master’s Student, Department of History Anthony Wright de Hernandez, Archivist
Recruitment posters like this one were used by the United States Army during the American Civil War. They were designed to recruit Americans to join the Union Army by stoking fears of a Confederate invasion of Washington D.C. This poster is a replica from the New York Historical Society.
Scrapbooks like this were compiled during the American Civil War. Some contained information on the 1860 election or memorabilia on the Confederate States of America. This scrapbook was patriotic to the Union and contains music and images that can be recognized by Americans today. The full scrapbook can be viewed online.
World War I
Thrift and Economy
Date
circa 1917 or 1918
Creators
Council of National Defense The Advisory Commission of the Council of National Defense
Publisher
United States Food Administration
Collection
World War I Food Posters (Acc.2021.094)
Description
Posters like this were common during the First and Second World Wars. They urged Americans to conserve resources so that they could be used by the military in the war effort. This poster depicts a signed statement by the Council of National Defense and the Advisory Commission of the Council of National Defense encouraging citizens to avoid all unnecessary expenditures to help the war effort.
Sugar Means Ships
Date
circa 1917
Creator
Fuhr, E. (Ernest), 1874-1933
Publisher
United States Food Administration
Collection
World War I Food Posters (Acc.2021.094)
Description
Sugar rationing for commercial uses began in fall 1917, reducing production of ice cream, sodas, and other treats which had become popular in part thanks to their promotion as alternatives for alcohol by the Temperance movement in the United States. Rationing for civilians did not begin until 1918; however, the United States was not capable of producing enough sugar domestically to meet demand. This led to calls for people to reduce sugar consumption so ships could be used for the war rather than to ship sugar.
Baker Recruitment Poster
Date
circa 1917
Creator
United States Army
Publisher
National Printing and Engraving Company, New York
Collection
World War I Baker Recruitment Poster (Ms.2021.029)
Description
Recruiting posters were a necessity during the World Wars. Conscription could only add so many specialties to the military, meanwhile specialists like bakers were greatly needed. This baker recruitment poster likely dates to New York City in 1917 and gives a quota on how many bakers are needed to support the United States Army.
Food Saving and Sharing
Date
1918
Creators
Tappan, Eva March, 1854-1930 United States Food Administration United States Bureau of Education United States Department of Agriculture
Subtitled “Telling how the older children of America may help save from famine their comrades in allied lands across the sea.” Toward the end of the First World War, famine began affecting families around the world. The United States Food Administration published literature urging families to conserve and share food with their neighbors so that comrades in allied lands across the sea could be saved from starvation.
Japanese Coronation Prints: Emperor Taishō
These lithograph prints were created to commemorate the enthronement of Yoshihito, later known as Emperor Taishō, to Japan’s Chrysanthemum Throne. The ceremony, held in November 1915 while Japan fought alongside the Allied forces in World War I, was the first of its type held as a public event and with foreign leaders in attendance.
Emperor Seated Upon the Throne in Shinshinden Palace
His Majesty the Emperor Seated upon the Throne in the Shinshinden Palace at the Enthronement Ceremony. The ‘Takamikura’ H.i.M. The Present Emperor’s coronation ceremony at ‘Shinshinden.’ From the series commemorating the Imperial Ceremonies.
His Majesty the Emperor passed through the royal gate to perform the official ceremony. From the series commemorating the Imperial Ceremonies.
Red Scare: Communism in America
These pamphlets published between the 1930s and the 1950s vary in support or opposition to the working class in the United States who may be identified as “communist” or “socialist” by the United States Government. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, the United States was experiencing something called the “Red Scare” and there were federal investigations to determine if individuals were spies for Soviet Russia.
On May 26, 1938, the House Committee on Un-American Activities was established to investigate alleged disloyalty and subversive activities of private citizens, public employees, and organizations suspected of communist or fascist ties. It was chaired by Martin Dies Jr. (D-Tex.). This pamphlet describes the activities of the committee and its apparent willingness to believe any accusation of communist tendencies.
Written by a member of the National Committee of the Communist Party and a leader in the American labor movement, this pamphlet argues against the Mundt-Nixon Bill, formally called the Subversive Activities Control Act of 1948 that would have required all members of the Communist Party of the United States to register with the Attorney General.
This pamphlet subtitled “The Truth About the Communists Which the Un-American Committee Tried to Suppress” was written by the General Secretary of the American Communist Party and lays out arguments against the Rankin Bill (H.R. 1884) and the Sheppard Bill (H.R. 2122) which were both intended to curb or outlaw the Communist Party in the United States.
War Bonds were integral to funding the United States military during World War II. Posters like these went up to urge Americans to buy bonds that would later be paid back to the purchaser at value plus interest after the war.
Make America Strong Posters
Date
1941
Creators
Extension Service, United States Department of Agriculture
Publisher
United States Government Printing Office
Collection
Make America Strong Poster Collection (Ms.2008.012)
Description
Before World War II, the science of nutrition was not well understood. Scientists knew that protein, energy, and minerals made for a healthy diet, but they did not know the specifics. With the approach of World War II, the government was very concerned about malnourishment among the citizenry following the Great Depression. The “Make America Strong” poster campaign was created by the United States Department of Agriculture Extension Service and included thirteen posters promoting the importance of dietary needs, healthy eating habits, and ways to fight food insecurity. Three of the thirteen posters were featured in the exhibit.
The first poster in the series shows an idealized depiction of masculine strength and sets the tone for the campaign.
In the middle of the series is a poster encouraging meals that are ample, well prepared, and rich in “protective foods.” Included under the label “protective foods” were milk, leafy vegetables, eggs, fish, and organ meats.
The final poster serves as a rallying cry for Americans to get to work making a positive change.
This special issue of the Army and Navy Journal, titled “United States at War December 7, 1941 – December 7, 1942,” was sponsored by General Cable Corporation. The advertisement from that company on the inside front cover supports the “More Production” war effort. The rest of the journal contains letters and reports by government employees and military commanders detailing the first year of the war effort.
England and Normandy in Seabee Roads to Victory
Date
1944
Creators
Metzl, Ervine, 1899-1963 (maps) Huie, William Bradford, 1910-1986 (text)
The Seabee Roads to Victory serves as recruitment propaganda for the United States Navy. The Seabees, still around today, are the construction wing of the Navy. During the Second World War, the Seabees constructed bases, staging areas, and training facilities in the Mediterranean and Northern Africa. Featured here is the book’s account of Seabee involvement in landing operations in Normandy during World War II.
Paper Bullets: Great Propaganda Posters, Axis & Allied Countries WWII
Date
1977
Creators
Lerner, Daniel, 1917-1980
Publisher
Chelsea House Publishers, Distributed by Whirlwind Books
This book contains various propaganda posters from the World War II era. Seven were featured as part of the exhibit.
Ecco I “Liberatori”!
Date
1944
Creators
Artist Unknown
Origin
Italy
Description
This poster comes from Italy in 1944 and suggests that the Allied forces coming through Italy were leaving a trail of destruction behind them. The text reads “Here are the ‘liberators’!”
Соревнуйтесь На Лучшую Помощь Фронту!
Date
1942
Creators
Korkorekin, Alexei Alekseevich (Кокорекин, Алексей Алексеевич)
Origin
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
Description
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics World War II propaganda poster. The text reads “Follow this worker’s example. Produce more for the front!”
這個美國空軍把日本人趕出了中國的天空ー援助他！
Date
circa 1945
Creators
United States, Office of War Information
Origin
United States of America
Description
A Pro-American leaflet in Chinese showing a heavily armed American airman stamping on a cowering Japanese soldier. The text reads “This American airman drives the Jap from China’s Skies –Give him your help!”
人人敌忾，步不设防，坚强壁垒，制敌死命
Date
circa 1937
Creators
Junshi weiyuanhui zhengxunchu (军事委员会政训处)
Origin
China
Description
A Chinese woodcut poster. The text reads “Everybody must hate the enemy, defenses must be constructed step-by-step, fortifications must be strengthened, the enemy must be exterminated!”
der Fuehrer’s Face
Date
1942
Creators
Walt Disney Studios
Origin
United States of America
Description
Promotional poster for the animated anti-Nazi propaganda short film “der Fuehrer’s Face.” The film was originally titled “Donald Duck in Nutziland” or “A Nightmare in Nutziland.” It was released in 1943 and attempted to lift the spirits of Americans experiencing rationing as the country shifted toward a war footing.
Holding The Line
Date
circa 1942
Creators
Guigmon, Henri
Origin
United States of America
Description
This United States poster caricatures Winston Churchill as a British bulldog to highlight the tenacity of the British people holding the line on the European front in World War II.
Anti-German Postcard
Date
1944
Creators
Unknown
Origin
Belgium
Description
This Belgian postcard from 1944 features the allied forces represented by a winged depiction of the Roman goddess Libertas or “Liberty” who is holding the flags of the allied nations as she defeats Germany.
English translation: Holding study classes is a good method; many problems can be solved in study classes. During China’s Cultural Revolution, posters containing “Chairman Mao’s Latest Instructions” were published regularly and were celebrated by the people.
English translation: Erect revolutionary committees of three unions, do great criticisms, clean up the revolutionary ranks, consolidate the Party organization, simplify the structures, reform irrational regulation systems, send the administrative staff to the countryside, struggle, criticize, correct in the factories, in the main go through this process a few times.
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics During the Cold War
Pamphlets published by Russia’s state-owned domestic news agency. Sovinformburo (Совинформбюро) was founded in June 1941 and operated under that name until 1961 when it became the Novosti Press Agency (APN). It underwent a series of name changes and reorganizations from 1990 to 2013 and was absorbed into the Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media, known as Roskomnadzor (RKN).
Towards Freedom and Progress
Date
1970
Creators
Khamid Sharapovich Inoi︠a︡tov
Publisher
Novosti Press Agency Publishing House, Moscow
Collection
Soviet Propaganda Literature (Acc.2011.040)
Description
The Soviet Union experienced ups and downs within its tenure as a world power. This pamphlet lays out a plan to continue their rise and grasp over world affairs.
Anti-Sovietism – Profession of Zionists
Date
1971
Creators
Vladimir Viktorovich Bolʹshakov
Publisher
Novosti Press Agency Publishing House, Moscow
Collection
Soviet Propaganda Literature (Acc.2011.040)
Description
This propaganda piece discusses how Zionism is anti-Soviet.
Soviet Sport: The Way to Medals
Date
1988
Creators
Aleksandr Rostislavovich Lavrov
Publisher
Novosti Press Agency Publishing House, Moscow
Collection
Soviet Propaganda Literature (Acc.2011.040)
Description
This pamphlet showcases the athletic talent of Soviet athletes in the 1980s. The Soviet Union also published propaganda for events like the Olympics, to display their legitimacy on the world stage.
Subtitled “speech on the occasion of the meeting in Moscow of the US-USSR Trade and Economic Council, April 13, 1988.” Pamphlets like these were common in the Soviet Union throughout their time as a world power. Gorbachev was very notorious for pushing them out in the late 1980s as their empire looked as if it were ready to crumble.
This paper was written for an English-speaking audience to demonstrate to the world that the United States was not dampening the spirit of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam (also known as the Viet Cong).
Peacetime in America
Our Most Important Unit
Date
1996 Apr 8
Creators
The Army Times
Publisher
The Army Times
Collection
John A. Coulter Collection on Richard T. Shae, Jr. Newspaper Articles (Ms.2000.090)
Description
In The Army Times, this picture advertises how the family unit is the most important unit in the United States military. Its purpose is to recruit people who may have a spouse and children. It details benefits available to Army spouses and children such as spousal employment assistance and assistance locating childcare.
Additional Content
Following the creation of the exhibit, Sterling began work on a related project during his first year of graduate school. This project will conclude with three live presentations on his Twitch channel and content about the exhibit materials on his website.
Twitch schedule
Join Sterling’s live presentations about this material in late November 2024 at https://twitch.tv/Strlang.
