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World War Two Posters
The images on this page are of U.S. propaganda posters used in World War Two to motivate millions of Americans in the successful effort to defeat the Axis Powers in World War Two.  Today, propaganda is commonly thought of to be false or misleading and the term is commonly used in a derogatory way.  This was not always true. Propaganda is actually neither right or wrong and is not necessarily deceptive.  The message conveyed can be valid.

When these World War 2 posters were created, the earlier definition of propaganda applied (i.e. spreading ideas or information to further a cause).  Most of the posters below convey accurate messages of what America was fighting to preserve - our freedoms, our way of life, and what average citizens could do to help in the war effort.  Some of the posters are very powerful in both image and words.  Others give motivational or informational messages.

In the overly sensitive, easily offended, multicultural, and politically-correct nation we have become, many of these posters would never be produced. 

Careless Talk
Today the media and our own government broadcast our troop levels, troop movements, strategy, and tactics.  Some might find the idea of secrecy as quaint, out-of-date, or possibly even diabolical but those people are wrong.  How many needless deaths does giving the enemy information cause?  Could we stomach again the hundreds of thousands of dead and wounded troops and civilians incurred during World War II?

During World War Two, troop movements, strategies, and tactics were highly guarded and the message was driven home by many posters and informational films.  A 10-minute movie about Safeguarding Military Secrets and the posters below give insight about the possible ramifications of loose talk.

A 10-minute movie about Safeguarding Military Secrets:








a larger version is available on the Home Front page

Production

To win any war, you need good planning, effective troops, a supportive home front, and weapons. Many World War 2 posters focused on maximizing production. Take a look at some of the posters below. The "E" Award was an award for excellence given only to facilities producing outstanding production and quality.

War Bonds and War Loans

To build the weapons, money is needed and lots of it.  To finance the war effort, the United States Government borrowed from Americans by selling war bonds and through taxation.  Celebrity endorsements such as Abbott and Costello promotional films, and posters helped sell the bonds . Videos promoting war bonds can be watched on the World War Two War Loans page. The posters are below.

Employment

The United States government actively sought women to fill the civilian ranks left by American men who were drafted into the military.

The military also needed to fill positions vacated by men who were overseas. The military actively recruited women. The Army had the Women's Army Corp (WAC); The Navy: Women Accepted for Emergency Voluntary Service (WAVES); The Coast Guard: Women's Reserve (SPARs).

Here are a few recruitment posters aimed at women:

Selected U.S. Armed Forces Recruitment Posters:

The Home Front
To remind Americans why they were fighting and to provide guidance as to what was needed and expected. Posters were used. Movies were also created and some of them can be viewed on the Home Front page.

Conservation and Rationing














Other Home Front posters




































British World War 2 propaganda posters can be found here.
German World War 2 propaganda posters are located here.

Thanks to the Old Time Radio Researchers Group, www.otrr.org, for many of the poster images.

Kingsmen singing "Keepin' Our Big Mouths Shut":