PROPAGANDA


This exhibition was curated by Laura Parker, an intern working with the gallery the last few months. This project contributed to her senior thesis and allowed her to further explore propaganda posters by actually working with the posters and researching their influence on the American citizens during times of war.

The variety of reasons women are featured in war posters ranges from the stereotypical gossipy female to the empowered women that can make a real difference in the war effort. Women are featured as being part of the military and also with direct involvement with domestic issues such as food rationing or planting victory gardens. These poster women were used as role models of how to best help the war effort, but there was also the occasional poster showing typical female characteristics such as gossip as a way the enemy can gain information. The reason for using women in posters spanned the spectrum, but they were a highly important for helping with the morale on the home front.
 

Women in the War

    

Food Conservation and Causes on the Home Front (See also our Vintage Farm and Garden Online Show)

       
     
    
 

Living during wartime required sacrifice by the ordinary citizen so the country could support its soldiers in battle. Food rationing was important because the conservation of extra food meant there was more for those fighting.  Many food posters urged women to buy only legal goods and use what they had wisely. Buying war bonds also became another way for citizens to contribute in small amounts and by the number of posters it is obvious that this was extremely helpful to the government.  It was not possible for everyday life to continue like the country was not involved in a war and these posters help to illustrate the type of sacrifice that was demanded of both soldiers and citizens.

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World War I

       

World War II

 
      

United Nations

   

ERP

    
Please See Our Special Exhibition of ERP Posters

"Think American"

  

Vietnam

 

Iraq

American Political


 

Foreign Propaganda

      

Here are some relevant links:

Design In Action

Micah Wright

Seven Stories Press

Center for Constitutional Rights