World War II Propaganda, Outline Example

I. Introduction

Thesis: WWII propagandists came to understand the American market as a number of independently functioning entities within the population.

II. Definition of Propaganda and its Distinction from other Forms of Persuasion

III. Four Propaganda posters that represent the use of market segmentation

IV. Relevant Themes in the Posters

1. Making the war an immediate threat to the US and the values of its citizens
2. General patriotism and nationalism
3. Getting women involved with the war effort
   1. Messages that motivate on the basis of negative emotions
   2. Messages that motivate on the basis of positive emotions

V. Conclusion

Flowing from the insights of advertisers of the 1930’s WWII propagandists came to understand the American market as a number of independently functioning entities within the population.  Some of these entities were groups or classes of people, such as women, men, older generations and younger generations, different ethnicities, and those of particular trades and professions (Ehrenberg and Hirsch 1996, p. 111). In response to this understanding, the people working in the development of war bond propaganda in particular formulated their campaigns to appeal to women’s innate desire to protect their family, care for their husbands, and secure a beautiful future for their children.

The featuring of a crying child in the following ad would immediately draw the attention of a mother, who would then respond to the picture of a man comforting the child emotionally.  The words, then, tightened this message, saying, “We can’t all go . . . but we can all help!”  Meant to empower women to think that they, too, could be a positive force in their country’s defense, the ad ends with, “Put at least 10% of your pay in War Bonds. Sign the card today.”

Thus, the ad appealed to women’s emotions first, then put forth the propaganda of being part of the war effort, ending with a directive to promise their wages toward war bonds.

References

Ehrenberg, Lewis and Susan Hirsch. (1996). The War in American Culture: Society and Consciousness During World War II.  IL: University of Chicago Press.

Northwestern University.  World War II Posters. Retrieved from http://www.library.northwestern.edu/otcgi/digilib/llscgi60.exe.