WW2- U.S.

PROPAGANDA
Questions
1.) Who is being targeted by this message, or is it for all Americans in general?
2.) What is this poster suggesting Americans should, or should not, do while we are at war?
3.) How will this (whatever is being suggested) help the U.S. war efforts?
4.) Which of the following themes of U.S. wartime efforts does the poster most relate to?
- War Bonds
Purchasing war bonds became a popular way to show patriotism and help US war efforts by providing
funds to the government to help pay for war materials and equipment. An individual would receive a
bond certificate that would accumulate interest, usually to be received after 10 years or more. US
citizens were encouraged to put at least 10% of each paycheck into bonds.
- Changing Roles of Women
During WW2 many women replaced men who had joined the forces by taking jobs that had formerly
been dominated by male employees, such as in manufacturing. As a result, the working woman
became much more common place and after the war many women continued working, even in
industries that had formerly been male dominated.
- Selective Service or Volunteer Service
The Selective Training and Service Act of 1940 instituted the first ever peacetime conscription in US
history. All men ages 21 to 35 had to register with local draft boards in preparation for war. After the
attacks on Pearl Harbor officially brought the US into WW2, thousands of patriotic men and women
volunteered for service in the US forces, and thousands more were drafted.
- Advising Against Unguarded Talk that could benefit the Enemy
Based on the idea that the enemy could have spies anywhere, citizens, and especially servicemen, were
warned to avoid careless talk regarding secure information. Loose lips sink ships became a popular
saying of the time, suggesting that careless talk of ship movements could allow the enemy to intercept
and destroy U.S. ships.
- Wartime Production
WW2 created millions of new jobs in manufacturing to produce wartime materials, which helped pull
the US out of economic depression. Wartime brought about increased productivity as a result of
management improvements and workers were encouraged to work more efficiently to help US war
efforts. Though Americans were cautioned to spend wisely during these times, the increased
production also brought about an increase in consumption as well.

Rationing
A system that began in the US in 1942 to guarantee minimum amounts of necessities to everyone and
prevent inflation because many items were in short supply. By 1943 many items required government
issued ration coupons to be purchased. Each person in a household could receive a ration book.

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WW2- U.S. PROPAGANDA
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