A Critical Analysis of a U.S. Propaganda Poster of the Second World War
A critical analysis of a U.S. propaganda poster of the Second World War
By Mike van Veen
Introduction
The following is a critical analysis of a poster printed by the U.S. Government Printing Office in 1942 and was designed by Allen Russell Saalburg . The poster can be found at the end of this document as Appendix A.
I will first point out the various elements of the poster and point out their characteristics. Following that I will explain what these elements portray, providing historical background when needed, and the elements’ desired effect on the public. Finally, I will sum up my analysis in a conclusion, elaborating on points made in the analysis.
Poster elements
The picture consists of a torn American flag, hung on half-mast, with black smoke clouding a bright sky on the background. The top half contains a quote, the bottom half a slogan concerning the date December 7th.
Historical background
December 7th The date mentioned in the slogan ‘REMEMBER DEC. 7th!’, refers to the Japanese attack on military targets at Pearl Harbor. It signalled the start of U.S. involvement in the Second World War.
The Gettysburg Address
The quote “… we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain …” is taken from the Gettysburg Address, a famous speech in U.S. history made by Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War. In it, Lincoln emphasized that the goal of the war was not necessarily to preserve the Union, but also to ensure democracy and true equality in its future.
Element analysis
Torn American flag, hung on half-mast
A torn flag of a nation is not something a propagandist of that nation would lightly use as symbolism on a poster, as it generally implies defeat of the nation it represents. Displaying it as being hung on half-mast (a sign of mourning) only further emphasizes this.
Black smoke clouding a bright sky
The smoke creates an image of what one present at Pearl Harbor at the time could’ve seen: Smoke from
By Mike van Veen
Introduction
The following is a critical analysis of a poster printed by the U.S. Government Printing Office in 1942 and was designed by Allen Russell Saalburg . The poster can be found at the end of this document as Appendix A.
I will first point out the various elements of the poster and point out their characteristics. Following that I will explain what these elements portray, providing historical background when needed, and the elements’ desired effect on the public. Finally, I will sum up my analysis in a conclusion, elaborating on points made in the analysis.
Poster elements
The picture consists of a torn American flag, hung on half-mast, with black smoke clouding a bright sky on the background. The top half contains a quote, the bottom half a slogan concerning the date December 7th.
Historical background
December 7th The date mentioned in the slogan ‘REMEMBER DEC. 7th!’, refers to the Japanese attack on military targets at Pearl Harbor. It signalled the start of U.S. involvement in the Second World War.
The Gettysburg Address
The quote “… we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain …” is taken from the Gettysburg Address, a famous speech in U.S. history made by Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War. In it, Lincoln emphasized that the goal of the war was not necessarily to preserve the Union, but also to ensure democracy and true equality in its future.
Element analysis
Torn American flag, hung on half-mast
A torn flag of a nation is not something a propagandist of that nation would lightly use as symbolism on a poster, as it generally implies defeat of the nation it represents. Displaying it as being hung on half-mast (a sign of mourning) only further emphasizes this.
Black smoke clouding a bright sky
The smoke creates an image of what one present at Pearl Harbor at the time could’ve seen: Smoke from