With the attack by Japan on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the United States found itself suddenly involved in a war that was raging across nearly every continent of the globe. As the American military ramped up its war effort, support from the American public became crucial. The need for more soldiers, more factory production, more government funds, and less consumption by civilians of crucial war resources led to a public propaganda campaign. In an age before the widespread use of television the two best ways to reach the public were radio broadcasts and print. President Roosevelt was a pioneer in using the radio to sway public opinion, and soon colorful posters promoting the requirements of the war effort began appearing all over the United States.
Propaganda was one of many weapons used by many countries during World War II, and the United States was no exception. From posters to films and cartoons, the federal government used propaganda not only to buoy the spirit and patriotism of the home front, but also to promote enlistment in the military and labor force. Several government agencies were responsible for producing propaganda, with the largest being the Office of War Information.
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It usually conjures up the image of a state bureaucracy, totalitarian in nature, running a highly-controlled information machine. We commonly associate propaganda with individuals or organizations whose intentions are suspect, and we may be especially alert to is use during a time of war. Propaganda is an effective weapon in a war of ideas, and thus it is a major part of the arsenal in the battle for hearts and minds that accompanies every shooting war. But propaganda is not just a tool of the state. It also can be — and is — used for other