CHC2D1 Unit 3 Evaluation: Wartime Propaganda Poster Assignment
Date Assigned:______
Date Due:______
Introduction: To most people, the word “propaganda” has negative connotations. In times of war propaganda is often associated with individuals or organizations whose intentions are suspect. Propaganda posters were used during World War II as a way of influencing the way people thought. Wartime propaganda was aimed at four main targets. For each of these targets a specific message was emphasized:
Target / Message1) The Enemy / Eventual defeat.
Example: This propaganda poster suggested that a sustained effort on the home front in producing armaments would lead to the eventual defeat of the Nazis and Japan Therefore the target of this propaganda poster is the Axis powers.
2) The Allies / Unity, loyalty, victory.
Example: This propaganda poster is targeted to the Allies. This is the case because it stressed the importance of a united Allied war effort in defeating the Axis powers.
3) Neutral Countries / Encouragement to support the Allied cause.
Example: Targeted to neutral countries, this propaganda poster stressed the importance that Canadian soldiers played in the Allied war effort.
4) Home Front / The need for sacrifice in order to be victorious.
Example: This propaganda poster stressed the importance of producing food for the war effort. The target, therefore, is the home front.
Instructions: This assignment is divided into three (3) parts:
1) Part One: Analysis of a Propaganda Poster
Select one of the four (4) attached propaganda posters and answer the following questions in paragraph form:
1. Who is the intended target of this propaganda poster? (Use one of the four targets on the previous page) Explain.
2. What is the message of the poster (recall: propaganda is used to convey a certain belief or attitude about something. In other words, what is the belief that this propaganda poster is attempting to encourage?)
3. How is the message relayed? (In other words what symbols, images, and words are used to convey the poster’s message).
4. Using the handout “Propaganda Techniques,” identify two (2) propaganda techniques that are used in your chosen poster and explain how they are used.
5. What emotions are aroused by this poster? How would a poster like this affect you if you were living in this time period?
*Note: Be sure to explain your answers. One sentence answers are not sufficient.
2) Part Two: Creating your own Propaganda Poster
Your task is to create an original propaganda poster in regards to some aspect of World War II. This assignment is meant to be a creative and individual way for you to express your understanding of the effectiveness of propaganda during World War II. Your poster should include the following elements:
- The subject of the propaganda poster can be anything related to the war effort (rationing, recycling, war bonds, civil defense, military recruitment, patriotic support of the military, etc.)
- Your poster should be historically accurate and include elements that will make it appealing, noticeable, and effective in its message (i.e. it should be colourful, include pictures, and a strong and clearly stated message).
- Most important, you must incorporate in your poster at least two of the propaganda techniques outlined in the handout “Propaganda Techniques.”
3) Part Three: Analyzing Your Propaganda Poster
Once your poster is complete, answer the following questions in complete questions:
- Who is the intended target of your propaganda poster? Explain
2. What message are you trying to convey through your poster? (recall: propaganda is used to convey a certain belief that this piece of propaganda is used to convey a certain belief or attitude about something- what is the belief that your propaganda poster is attempting to encourage?)
3. Explain what two (2) propaganda techniques are used in your poster.
*Note: Be sure to explain your answers. One sentence answers are not sufficient.
Propaganda Techniques
1) Appeal to authority: Appeals to authority cite prominent figures to support a position idea, argument, or course of action. For example, Nazi Leader Adolf Hitler appeared on a number of posters during World War II rallying Germans to fight for their “Motherland.”
2) Appeal to fear: Appeals to fear seek to build support by instilling fear in the general population. For example Nazi Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels used American Theodore Kaufman’s book Germany Must Perish! as proof that the Allies sought the extermination of the German people.
3) Argumentum ad nauseam: Uses tireless repetition. An idea once repeated enough times, is taken as the truth. This is a form of brainwashing. For example, American war posters constantly repeated that all Japanese were “back stabbers” and “rats.”
4) Assertion: Assertion is commonly used in advertising and modern propaganda. An assertion is an enthusiastic or energetic statement presented as a fact, although it is not necessarily true. They often imply that the statement requires no explanation or back up, but that it should merely be accepted without question.
5) Bandwagon: Bandwagon propaganda is, essentially, trying to convince the subject that one side is the winning side, because more people have joined it. The subject is meant to believe that since so many people have joined, that victory is inevitable and defeat impossible.
6) Common man: The “plain folks” or “common man” approach attempts to convince the audience that the propagandist’s positions reflect the common sense of the people. It is designed to win the confidence of the audience by communicating in the common manner and style of the audience. Propagandists use ordinary language and mannerisms in attempting to identify their point of view with that of the average person.
7) Direct order: This technique hopes to simplify the decision making process. The propagandist uses images and words to tell the audience exactly what actions to take, eliminating any other possible choices. For example Allied propaganda posters told men “It’s your duty” to join the army.
8) Lesser of Two Evils: The “lesser of two evils” technique tries to convince us of an idea or proposal by presenting it as the least offensive option. This technique was used during World War II to convince people of the need for sacrifices or to justify difficult decisions.
9) Slogans: A slogan is a brief, striking phrase that may include labeling and stereotyping. Although slogans may be enlisted to support reasoned ideas, in practice they tend to act only as emotional appeals. For example in order to persuade British farmers to produce more food for the war effort, the British government introduced a number of posters during the Second World War bearing the slogan “Lend a Hand on the Land.”
10) Stereotyping (Labeling): This technique attempts to arouse prejudices in an audience by labeling the object of the propaganda campaign as something the target audience fears, hates, or loathes. For example all Japanese-Canadian citizens were termed “spies.”
CHC2D1: Propaganda Poster Rubric
Category / Level 480-100% / Level 3
70-79% / Level 2
60-69% / Level 1 50-59%
or Below / Mark
Knowledge/
Understanding / Demonstrates a high degree of knowledge of propaganda techniques used in World War II. / Demonstrates considerable knowledge of propaganda techniques used in World War II. / Demonstrates a moderate level of knowledge of propaganda techniques used in World War II. / Demonstrates minimal knowledge of propaganda techniques used in World War II. /
/20
Thinking/
Inquiry / Demonstrates a high degree of technique and creativity both visually and in the expression of ideas. / Demonstrates considerable technique and creativity visually and in the expression of ideas. / Demonstrates a moderate level of creativity visually and in the expression of ideas. / Demonstrates minimal creativity visually and in the expression of ideas. /
/20
Communication / Communicates information trough the use of symbols and visuals with a high degree of clarity. / Communicates information trough the use of symbols and visuals with considerable clarity. / Communicates information trough the use of symbols and visuals with moderate clarity. / Communicates information trough the use of symbols and visuals with limited clarity. /
/20
Application / Identifies, explains, and incorporates two propaganda techniques with a high degree of effectiveness. / Identifies, explains, and incorporates two propaganda techniques with a considerable degree of effectiveness. / Identifies, explains, and incorporates two propaganda techniques with a moderate degree of effectiveness / Identifies, explains, and incorporates two propaganda techniques with minimal effectiveness. /
/20
Total /80
Comments:
Part One: Propaganda Posters