Propaganda Through the Ages (But Mostly Just World War II...)

All governments strive to influence their populace. Whether its through carefully prepared wordplay, information dissemination, or highly charged visual rhetoric, no government in the history of the world is innocent of trying to manipulate public discourse. It's what governments do, and if they suck at it, they cannot survive.

One arena where governments really show their colors while attempting to control its populace is during times of war. It is at these times that governments can least afford dissension or pernicious ways of thinking. A government at war is damn well self-assured, and will go out of its way to make sure the people feel the same way about whatever enterprise the government is undertaking.

Here are just a few of my favorite examples of unreserved glorification of violent crusades!
(Note: I am not implying that I agree with the sentiments in these posters, merely that I find them to be fascinating examples of a government's willingness to manipulate its people)

*Click pictures to zoom in.*

1. War: World War I. Country: United Kingdom

"Honey, I brutally massacred dozens of krauts! Now, off to bed for you!"

Related:

This poster of Lord Kitchener appealing for volunteers is the progenitor of the famous "I want YOU" Uncle Sam posters.


2. War: World War II. Country: USA

Say what you will about this poster, but it's definitely not subtle.

3. War: World War II. Country: Poland

In Eastern Europe, kissing on the lips is an acceptable sign of affection between straight men, as shown in the jubilation of this Polish peasant and soldier. Hmmmm.....

4. War: World War II. Country: Australia.

"GET OFF THE BARBIE! THE JAPS ARE COMING!"

5. War: World War I. Country: USA

In 1917, the American government wanted its people to view the Germans as brutish apes. Today, Germans make kickass cars and have an unhealthy collective obsession with David Hasselhoff. My, how times change.

6. War: World War II. Country: USA

Pretty sure this one is self-explanatory.

7. War: Spanish Civil War. Country: Republican Spain.

Not gonna lie, I love this one. The action! The mixing of genders in a combat situation! The Goosebumps® font! It's all too much.

8. War: World War II. Country: Japan

Wow, while I may completely loathe the Japanese position in World War II, the visuals of this poster are so badass....

9. War: World War II. Country: Soviet Union

Stalin was a mass murdering psychopath, but damn he knew how to make an impression. Stalinzilla!

10. War: Greco-Turkish War. Country: Greece

This awesome Greek lithograph actually shows combat, unlike most propaganda pieces. But something tells me that modern combat is not fought at such close quarters, and with such little visible blood.....But hey! What do I know?

11. War: World War II. Country: Fascist Italy.

This poster admonishes the often indiscriminate bombing campaigns made by Allied forces in World War II. Although I think it was morally imperative to defeat Nazi Germany and Mussolini's Italy, I don't think enough attention is given to the millions of civilians killed by Allied forces in order to achieve this. War is hell, and it's about time we portray it as such.

 12. War: Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. Country: Israel

Finally, I'm ending with a modern example of military propaganda. The Israel Defense Forces have official Facebook and Twitter accounts, which I find to be fascinating examples of visual rhetoric in the social media age. Again, say what you want about this graphic, but it certainly makes an impression.

Well, I hope that this post has made you slightly more adept at identifying bullshit that governments try to feed their people.