How Did Walt Disney Contribute To Propaganda

Walt Disney’s unrivaled success in the entertainment business began in the 1920’s along with the introduction of many of his most prominent animated characters. Today, millions of people recognize the familiar faces of Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy without a second thought. Many art studios were recruited to support the war effort after America’s entry into World War II, and as result of Disney’s popularity with the public; the company became a notable source for propaganda. Walt Disney was more than enthusiastic to present his characters as patriotic. His company made many contributions to the war effort in a multitude of ways, including short films and illustrations that encouraged the American public to do their part to ensure victory.

During this time, movie theater attendance was at an all-time high. Attending cinemas became a favorite pass time for many Americans. The U.S. government saw this as a new opportunity to show the public how they could help the military during wartime. In 1942, a short film was produced entitled” Der Fuehrer’s Face” starring Disney’s most popular character at the time, Donald Duck. Donald is awakened by a band of Nazis who force him into a factory where he must work on assembling weapons. Donald wakes up from this nightmare in a very patriotic room donned with red white and blue décor. Donald exclaims how he loves to be an American and the film ends with a tomato being thrown in Hitler’s face. This short animation is a simple piece of propaganda that shows the Nazis in a comical light. It does not rally the audience for any specific cause besides ridiculing the enemy and is one of Disney’s most famous shorts made for propaganda. Another short film, shown in 1943 and titled “The Spirit of ‘43”, aimed a specific message to the public about paying taxes. Following Donald Duck again, it presents him as the common worker, having trouble deciding how to spend his money after a payday. Presented with two

Posters donning well-known characters in situations fully showing their support for the troops were put up all around the country as well as on the battlefield. An Illustration from a 1942 issue of Coronet magazine shows Donald Duck as a marine leading the troops, Porky Pig dressed as a factory worker, Minnie mouse is shown as a volunteer for the Red Cross, Dopey the Dwarf is advocating for the purchase of bonds, and Mickey is flying a plane as a member of the air force. Illustrations in American ranged from portrayals of battle to everyday life in wartime America. In 1943, a special Disney edition ration booklet showed Mickey and Minnie Mouse happily using their rations to buy groceries. War bonds were an increasingly popular way for the military to earn funds, special bond certificates allowed the printing of the most popular characters in an attempt to increase sales. Comic strips were another common form of the propaganda. Bambi battled the Axis Powers in Disney’s “Volunteer Army “and many other comics were made of the characters advocating bonds. Disney Studios designed more than 1,200 insignia for the military’s branches and allies as well( Lesjak). A multitude of contributions were made for the war effort by Disney’s company and the forms of propaganda the company used came in a large