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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

#3

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

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#11

"The First Lesson" - Ussr, 1964.

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Mars Lander
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This artist hits it. Every. Time. No wonder they were our biggest enemy, we didn't want them blasting our truths like that.

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#12

The Only Good Nazi Is A Dead Nazi 1945

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Sneeze
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

speaking of which some people are just overgeneralizing all Germans as Nazis. For example one of my (toxic-ex) friends tried to get me to quit taking German becuase she was Jewish and it "offended her family" like okay i get that Nazi Germany did a lot of bad s**t to your family and all, but so did america to african americans and most immagrents in general but theyre fine with speaking english and living in america and all that stuff bc its a different age and time so please just be reasonable. sorry i needed to rant

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Samantha Lomb
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Except the US actually imported a lot of Nazis to build rockets, space ships ect for us as well as deploying people like Klaus Barbie in South America against communists, so apparently Nazis were fine as long as they were useful

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Tiny Dynamine
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's still true for neo-Nazis, e.g the Republican Party, every one of them.

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Viviane
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would prefer that they come to their senses and leave the extreme right. However, in 1945, they were at war and it was pretty much kill them or be killed.

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WorldNeedsReboot
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And today, the demonrat admin is bringing it back to full life in Amerika!

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Happylooser
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Funny how most post-WW2 country tried to recrute those same nazi for their knowledge and "expertise", read about operation paperclip, it's horrifying

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Arjen I
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

...while they are hailed by repubs in present day US of A.....

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brukernavn340
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2 years ago (edited)

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What about Oskar Schindler? He was a Nazi too (i.e. member of the Nazi party).

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brukernavn340
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2 years ago

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WilvanderHeijden
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2 years ago

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The US has more than 20 neo-nazi groups... And they are all legal.

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Canem
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2 years ago

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Nazis were people too. The moment you forget that, it's the moment you risk becoming a Nazi yourself.

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#15

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

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NsG
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Isn't that an Einstein quote?: "I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones"

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#18

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

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Chrissy Neibarger
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can't imagine the riots that would occur if this happened today. Too many selfish people now-a-days.

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#25

1900s, Anti-Feminist Poster.

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Katie Lutesinger
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

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#30

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

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Katie Lutesinger
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Except for the part about the toilet paper, apparently. :p

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Note: this post originally had 40 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.

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