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Article created by: Konstancija Gasaitytė

Propaganda has been a powerful tool used throughout history. But how does it really work? And is it only used to trick people into believing certain things? When we hear about it, do we think only about past historic events or can we think of an example of seeing propaganda in today’s world? 

Propaganda can be spread through books, movies, images, and other sources that reach mass audiences. Its primary goal is to change people’s views and opinions. After important events that changed the world’s history, propaganda started to carry a rather negative connotation. But it can also be used to spread positive messages and embrace necessary changes.

Bored Panda has already covered the topic by presenting these propaganda posters about the COVID-19 crisis. The pictures depict very recent events, so it’s no trouble for people to understand what is the hidden meaning behind them. But what about some of the older propaganda images? Are we able to decipher those? 

A subreddit called PropagandaPosters with 415k members shares various posters and pamphlets that show how propaganda was spread during various periods of time. These images depict and help to understand some historical events better with their symbolic drawings, call-to-action messages, and well-portrayed stereotypes. Which one of these do you find the most influential? Leave your thoughts in the comments down below!

More Info: Reddit

#1

A Known Classic That Never Seems To Age. Date Unknown (1920s?)

Historic propaganda visual showing war consuming resources while education, sciences, arts, and healthcare go hungry.

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    #2

    We Don’t Always March Straight, Swedish Armed Forces Gay Pride Poster, 2018

    Soldier in military gear with rainbow face paint symbolizing historic propaganda visuals promoting freedom and diversity.

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    #3

    Barbarity vs. Civilisation, By René Georges Hermann-Paul, 1899

    Black and white historic propaganda visual depicting violent struggle labeled Barbarie and Civilisation with two figures in conflict.

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    #4

    Anti-Vac Comic From The 1940s. Stupidity Is Timeless.

    Anti-vaccinationist and others walk off a cliff labeled misinformation toward smallpox in historic propaganda visual.

    T3SKULLBREAK Report

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    #5

    Poster Distributed By Youthbuilders, The Student Group From New York City's Ps 43, To Protest Segregated Blood Banks, Produced In 1945.

    Historic propaganda visual showing hands holding blood vials with text about white and black blood being identical.

    throughmethroughyou Report

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    #6

    Dc Statehood Poster (2006)

    Historic propaganda visual showing two firefighters highlighting voting rights disparity in Washington DC and Maryland.

    TrueBirch Report

    #7

    American Freedom. Soviet Union, 1960s

    Historic propaganda visual showing a Black man in chains wearing a striped prison uniform with a stylized American flag background.

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    #8

    "News-Leak Embarrasses White House" 1972.

    Historic propaganda visual cartoon from 1972 showing distrust in government and staff with a newspaper headline.

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    #9

    The Only Good Nazi Is A Dead Nazi 1945

    Historic propaganda visual showing a skeleton in a N**i uniform with text condemning Nazis as dead Nazis.

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    #10

    "Basement With Supplies" / Ussr, 1973

    Historic propaganda visual showing a figure carrying goods up stairs inside a map of the Americas filled with food supplies.

    soviet_posters Report

    #11

    This Patient Is Hopeless. He Was Diagnosed With A Complete Lack Of Dollars. Soviet Union, 1950s

    Historic propaganda visual showing two doctors in white coats and red cross hats in a vintage style medical setting.

    atotalfuckingfailure Report

    #12

    "Evolution?" // Anti- Nuclear War Poster (1970s Ussr)

    Historic propaganda visual showing evolution from arrow to modern missile to stone axe on a black background with Russian text.

    ManOfReasonCC Report

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    #13

    "Nuclear War", Soviet Union, C. 1980s

    Minimalist historic propaganda visual showing a heartbeat line forming a crowd and a nuclear missile silhouette.

    Zzyzwicz_ Report

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    #14

    “Rationing Means A Fair Share For All Of Us” - USA, 1940s

    Historic propaganda visual showing the benefits of rationing with happy people holding ration books and goods.

    EssoEssex Report

    #15

    United States During World War I (1917)

    Historic propaganda visual showing Uncle Sam with signs about peace and war ammunition sales.

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    #16

    Pro-Child Labor Poster ~1915

    Historic propaganda visual urging child labor only if it trains children to be better citizens, not just for money.

    vulverine Report

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    #17

    "Tax The Loafer - Not The Loaf" - Britain, 1920s

    Historic propaganda visual showing tax payer contrasted with tax dodger in vintage budget league poster.

    1stDegreeBoo-Urns Report

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    #18

    Brazilian Cartoon On Us Presidential Election 2008

    Cartoon of McCain and Obama debating with eagles symbolizing imperialism in a historic propaganda visuals style.

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    #19

    "Don't Throw Stones", Iraq, 2004

    Historic propaganda visual showing a child throwing an object with a warning not to throw stones.

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    #20

    1900s, Anti-Feminist Poster.

    Historic propaganda visual showing the origin and development of a suffragette at different ages.

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    #21

    2009 Net Neutrality Poster

    Historic propaganda visual showing a man standing for freedom of speech, symbolizing support for net neutrality.

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    #22

    Hitler Youth Poster (1930s) And American Meat Industry Poster (1980s)

    Historic propaganda visuals showing patriotic men holding flags from different countries in vintage styles.

    Unleashtheducks Report

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    #23

    Don't Go To Spain (UK, 1970s)

    Historic propaganda visual showing anti-f*****t rally and Spanish Civil War imagery urging support for the people's struggle.

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    #24

    "Diplomacy, The American Way", Ussr, 1986

    Historic propaganda visual showing a split figure in a suit and military uniform carrying a briefcase with an American flag sticker.

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    #25

    Hoarders, Panic Buyers, Shame On You! (Nazi Germany, 1942)

    Historic propaganda visual of an anthropomorphic hamster carrying groceries in a vintage style illustration.

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