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30 Of The Best Historic Propaganda Visuals As Shared By This Dedicated Online Community
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
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![Help Keep Your School All American! [1950]](https://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/propaganda-posters-historic-events-61000225b62b5__700.jpg "Help Keep Your School All American! [1950]")
At least an immigrant is delivering the message.
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I remembered listening to a rerun of a Superman radio broadcast from the 40's. Even then, it included a PSA about racial inclusion.
After WWII, Superman needed a new enemy - and the Superman radio show was instrumental in exposing the KKK. Imagine that - those knuckle-draggers got owned by somebody who doesn't even exist!
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Because, though through no fault of his own, technically Superman is an illegal alien. But he was raised American and should be allowed to stay. And that is a lesson he would teach.
Is Superman American? Did he apply for citizenship? Isn't he a Kryptonian?
Yeah this is NOT what I was expecting from the 1950s. But cool!! Of course, they're all white in the poster, so... ???
Batman appeared in a similar campaign (although this one was presented as a full comic page, rather than a poster): https://cacb.wordpress.com/2008/11/28/batman-rallies-against-racism/ And---when they weren't indulging in wartime jingoism---the Justice Society would frequently point out that "liberty and justice for all" meant *everyone.* So when some comics historian tries to defend Ebony White or other hideous racist depiction as "a product of its time," remember: the people doing it KNEW it was wrong; there just usually weren't enough decent people with backbones willing to OPPOSE it.
How can Superman be all American if he was created by an American AND a Canadian?
Wait, but this is a message in *favor* of honoring differences, no? Like, yeah, it's kinda clunky and tone-deaf by contemporary standards, but it's moving in the right direction? Or am I missing something?
This is a real poster - it's just very progressive for the 1950s.
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This artist hits it. Every. Time. No wonder they were our biggest enemy, we didn't want them blasting our truths like that.
I can't imagine the riots that would occur if this happened today. Too many selfish people now-a-days.
Come, Boris! Lucille Ball has told me where to find Moose and Squirrel.
And this one REALLY hasn't changed all that much. To this very day "Well you're just ugly and no man wants you!" is a line you hear all too often when a woman stands up for her rights. Or is outspoken in general, really. Because, y'know, being attractive to men is the be-all and end-all of a woman's existence. Sigh.
The more things change, the more they stay the same. Except for the part about the toilet paper, apparently. :p
Note: this post originally had 40 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.
depicting the swastika in a historical context is not advocating any ideology.
But in some countries, even displaying like that, is illegal.
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This is such an interesting article. I hope bored panda does more of this
The Russia anti-American propaganda ones are interesting, because they're using the same tactics on Facebook now. Just the medium has changed, not the message
I remember seeing this poster in history class it's along the same lines but different art style: https://images.app.goo.gl/GnJSAdjwHS8zHHoq5
Interesting how some of the older ones still hold up nowadays, especially that 1950s poster with Superman.
The Federal government is knowingly and willingly placing American civilian lives in direct lethal peril by keeping our borders open during a pandemic. Either Covid is a dangerous health risk or it is not. If it is, close the borders. If it is not, drop all the talk of mandates and restrictions and let this virus do its worst and be done. Anything else is undeniably criminal.
How are some of these propoganda? Propoganda as defined means 'information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote or publicize a particular political cause or point of view" . Funneling money for war, anti-vaxx commentary , America's racial inequality are ironic depictions, but not untruthful.
depicting the swastika in a historical context is not advocating any ideology.
But in some countries, even displaying like that, is illegal.
Load More Replies... This is such an interesting article. I hope bored panda does more of this
The Russia anti-American propaganda ones are interesting, because they're using the same tactics on Facebook now. Just the medium has changed, not the message
I remember seeing this poster in history class it's along the same lines but different art style: https://images.app.goo.gl/GnJSAdjwHS8zHHoq5
Interesting how some of the older ones still hold up nowadays, especially that 1950s poster with Superman.
The Federal government is knowingly and willingly placing American civilian lives in direct lethal peril by keeping our borders open during a pandemic. Either Covid is a dangerous health risk or it is not. If it is, close the borders. If it is not, drop all the talk of mandates and restrictions and let this virus do its worst and be done. Anything else is undeniably criminal.
How are some of these propoganda? Propoganda as defined means 'information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote or publicize a particular political cause or point of view" . Funneling money for war, anti-vaxx commentary , America's racial inequality are ironic depictions, but not untruthful.
