CREATE YOUR OWN PROPAGANDA
Create your own piece of propaganda to help spread an idea or information about an institution, person, or cause about which you feel strongly. You could create a cartoon, poster, or song, like those featured here, or come up with your own medium. Share your piece of propaganda with your classmates and then create a classroom display.


Propaganda entails the spreading of ideas or information with the intended purpose of helping or hurting an institution, cause, or person. Propaganda can be based on facts, arguments, rumors, half-truths, or lies used to convince people of a certain message. During times of war, as well as peace, both governments and civilians use propaganda to influence how others understand events or messages. Propaganda can be very effective, especially in popular media, such as cartoons, songs, and posters. A catchy tune or striking image reaches a mass audience in a different way than a political speech, often because it is more appealing and easier to understand.




POLITICAL CARTOON

Cartoonist Daniel Bishop created the comic strip "Doom and Gloom Boys" to criticize groups in the United States that did not agree with President Franklin D. Roosevelt's policies and programs. The characters of the "Doom and Gloom Boys" first appeared in the St. Louis Star Times newspaper before Pearl Harbor and were very popular during World War II. This cartoon, entitled "Look Who's Here Again," raises issues of American isolationism prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor.

click on image for larger version




STUDENT CARTOON ANALYSIS QUESTIONS

1. What are your first impressions as you explore this cartoon?

2. What objects or people appear in the cartoon? Create a list.

3. Which of the objects on your list are symbols?

4. What do you think each symbol means?

5. Is there an action taking place in the cartoon? Describe it.

6. Does the cartoon have a title or a caption? Record it.

7. Are there any other words or phrases within the cartoon? List them.

8. Who created the cartoon?

9. Is there a date or some indication of when it was created?

10. For what audience was the cartoon created?

11. What is the message of this cartoon?

12. Who would agree or disagree with the cartoon's message? Why?

13. What questions do you have about the cartoon?


SONG

Shortly after the attack at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the Portland, Oregon newspaper, The Oregonian, coined the expression "Remember Pearl Harbor," which became a rallying cry among Americans. When Don Reid and Sammy Kaye wrote the spirited march "Remember Pearl Harbor" following the Japanese attack and America's entry into the war, it became an instant hit on radio stations throughout the country and was frequently played and sung at religious, social, and community gatherings.

"Remember Pearl Harbor"
History - in every century,
records an act that lives forevermore.
We'll recall - as in to line we fall,
the thing that happened on Hawaii's shore.
Let's REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR -
As we go to meet the foe -
Let's REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR
As we did the Alamo.
We will always remember -
how they died for liberty,
Let's REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR
and go on to victory.




STUDENT SONG ANALYSIS QUESTIONS

1. What are your first impressions as you read these song lyrics?

2. What events are mentioned in the song?

3. Why do you think the songwriters chose these events to include in the song?

4. What are other important words mentioned in the song? Circle them.

5. What do you think this song is about?

6. For what audience do you think this song was created?

7. Is a song an effective way to get a message across? Why or why not?

8. How does a tune influence a song's meaning? Find the tune for "Remember Pearl Harbor" and judge its effectiveness in helping to convey the song's message.



POSTER

Of the many famous images that have emerged from World War II, the photo of the burning USS Arizona is one of the most striking and well-known. This image was originally captured in a photograph. Later it was used on propaganda posters, like this one created by artist Bernard Perlin for the United States Office of War Information. The USS Arizona became a symbol to Americans of the tragedy at Pearl Harbor and of the importance of remembering December 7, 1941.

click on image for larger version




STUDENT POSTER ANALYSIS QUESTIONS

1. What are your first impressions as you examine this poster?

2. What objects or people appear on this poster? Create a list.

3. Which of the objects on your list are symbols?

4. What do you think each symbol means?

5. Is there any action taking place on the poster? Describe it.

6. Are there any words or phrases on the poster? List them.

7. Do any important dates appear on the poster? List them.

8. Who might have created this poster? Why?

9. For what audience was the poster created?

10. What is the message of this poster?

11. Do you think that the poster is effective in conveying its message?

12. How does the poster discuss the events on December 7?