Hannah Arendt said that “Only the mob and the elite can be attracted by the momentum of totalitarianism itself. The masses have to be won by propaganda” Propaganda was a technique used by leaders and the government to pursue the people. Propaganda was the way to recruit soldiers and get support from the citizens. The World War II (September 1, 1939 – September 2, 1945) was a period of disaster and need. Big countries like America and Great Britain, among many others, used propaganda to reach out to the public whenever they needed backing up for a significant purpose. Propaganda was a “tool to used to shape opinion and influence behaviour in pursuit of governmental goals.” Additionally, it could have been used
also as an act of desperation.
Propaganda consisted mostly of significant images with a pursuing short text. It was used for many reasons like: recruiting soldiers, finding stenographers, or even recycling. According to Mahaney, there were four types of propagandas. The first type consisted of a patriotic message. “These depictions show a determined and optimistic America fighting a just and right cause.” The second included a sentimental message and it was represented mainly by images without a text. The third type of propaganda “relied on humor to get the point across.” These included cartoons of enemies to humiliate them. The last type of propaganda was usually a negative and blunt type of poster. “It could show images of soldiers dying” to show the people the sacrifices that soldiers make for their country.
Mahaney says that “ propaganda became a major industry, using famous actors, directors, artists, and writers to get points across to the people quickly and effectively.” Consequently, propaganda had a more efficient way to catch the public’s attention and accomplish their goal.
In conclusion, propaganda was very important in the World War II because it made an impact in people. It was the government’s way to recruit people for the war and many other things that made America the place it is now. However, nowadays we use propaganda for other inappropriate reasons. Promoting fast-food restaurants, junk food, alcohol and many other things that damage our bodies are the modern purposes of propaganda. Propaganda’s purpose evolved to get what every person wants and needs now. Money.