U.S. Propaganda, Japan, and World War II

Russ Long, Fairview High School, Fairview, TN, U.S. History

U.S. History Standards
US.66 Describe the war’s impact on the home front, including rationing, bond drives, movement to cities and industrial centers, and the Bracero program.
US.85 Analyze the increasing impact of television and mass media on the American home, American politics, and the American economy.
US.83 Examine multiple sources presented in different media and formats to explain the impact of the baby boom generation on the American economy and culture.

Objective:

Upon completing this lesson, students will:

Understand the impact of propaganda and its use to influence American opinions during the 1930’s and 1940’s

Understand how propaganda shaped popular opinion. By using a modern social issue for the creation of their own propaganda poster, students are able to see how their words influence opinion.

Understand the impact and implications of the propaganda program used by the United States during WW II by viewing examples of propaganda pieces used by the United States about Japan.

Create a piece of modern day propaganda on a social issue of their choosing.

Procedures

This lesson is designed to allow students to explore U.S. propaganda aimed at Japan during WW II. Students will use information found at http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/powers_of_persuasion/powers_of_persuasion_home.html to choose 4 posters. Students may choose any 4 posters, as long as they determine the poster focuses relates to Japan. For each poster they choose, students will need to answer the following questions:

1. Do you believe the information contained in the poster to be accurate? Why or why not?

2. Do you feel the message of the poster impacted its audience in the way in which it was intended?

3. What do you believe the reaction would be today if this poster’s message was shown in a modern media form (such as a commercial) ?

4. Do you believe the attitudes represented in these propaganda posters still holds true today?

After completing this portion of the assignment, students will then be asked to use one of the four pieces of propaganda they chose as a model to create their own modern day propaganda on a topic of their choosing. (some suggestions for students: poverty, global warming, racism, addictions, etc)

The student will create a sketch of the propaganda poster, updating it to convey a message concerning the issue they chose. The following questions must be answered concerning the student’s propaganda poster.

1.  What modern issue does your propaganda poster address? Why did you choose this issue? (1 paragraph)

2.  Who is your target audience?

3.  What message is your propaganda piece attempting to convey. (1 paragraph)

Conclusion


After completion, all students will share their posters with each other and anonymously rate each one on the clarity of its message and its persuasive power.

Evaluation

Propaganda Poster Rubric

Criterion / Possible Points / Earned Points
Relative to current topic
Formatted similar to mentor piece from past
Reflection
Relative to grade level work