The Art of Persuasion: World War II Propaganda - Protection

The exhibition showcased propaganda produced during the world conflict, through examples that show that the war was fought not only in the battlefield, but also in the background.

Eat a better breakfast by UnknownMuseu do Caramulo

Uncle Sam says eat a better breakfast

Unknown

For health... eat some food from each group... every day! (1943) by UnknownMuseu do Caramulo

For health… eat some food. From each group… every day!

Unknown
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1943

Careless talk got the first by UnknownMuseu do Caramulo

Careless talk. Got there First.

Ray Prohaska
1944

Communication Operators! The front demands accurate and trouble-free work from you in any conditions.Well working communication - the victory guarantee in battle. Hide and protect well the communication gear. (1941) by UnknownMuseu do Caramulo

Communication Operators!

The front demands accurate and trouble-free work from you in any conditions. Well working communication - the victory guarantee in battle. Hide and protect well the communication gear.

Unknown
1941

Mothers let them go - give them a chance of greater safety and health by UnknownMuseu do Caramulo

Mothers let them go

- give them a chance of greater safety and health

Unknown
Ministry of Health Evacuation Scheme, Great Britain

He's in the silent service - Are you? by UnkownMuseu do Caramulo

He’s in silent service – are you?

Never mention arrivals, sailings, cargoes or destinations to anybody.

Unknown

The battle-wise Infantryman......is careful of what he says or writes How about you? (1944) by Jes Wilhelm SchlaikjerMuseu do Caramulo

The battle-wise Infantryman...

...is careful of what he says or writes How about you?

Jes Wilhelm Schlaikjer
Office of War Information, U.S.A.
1944

Join the health for victory club. A westinghouse war service by UnkownMuseu do Caramulo

Join the health for Victory Club.Eat Better, Work Steadier.

Unknown
Westingthouse War Service, U.S.A.

Starve him with silence. War secrets. (1943) by EssargeeMuseu do Caramulo

Starve him with Silence. War Secrets.

Essargee
1943

Starve him with Silence. War Secrets.

Essargee
1943

If you tell where they’re going… They may never get there Don't talk about troop movements (1943) by James R. BinghamMuseu do Caramulo

If you tell where they’re going… They may never get there.

Don't talk about troop movements

Unknown
Office of War Information, U.S.A.
1943

Mouvement de Liberation Nationale (MLN) by UnknownMuseu do Caramulo

National Liberation Movement

Atelier R. P. R.
Mouvement de Liberation Nationale, France

National Liberation Movement by Atelier R. P. R.Museu do Caramulo

National Liberation Movement

Atelier R. P. R.
Mouvement de Liberation Nationale, France

A sport is always a national defense (1942) by UnknownMuseu do Caramulo

Sport is always a nacional defense

Komoróczy
1942

Sport is always a nacional defense

Komoróczy
1942

The Sound That Kills by UnknownMuseu do Caramulo

The sound that kills

Unknown
Office of War Information, U.S.A.
1942

New Air Raid Warning System (1943) by UnknownMuseu do Caramulo

New Air Raid Warning System

Unknown 
U.S. Office of Civilian Defense
1943

Either can do the enemy's work Fire Prevention Week by UnknownMuseu do Caramulo

Either can do the enemy's work. Fire Prevention Week

Unknown
National Board of Fire Underwriters, U.S.A.

Today every fire helps Hitler. by Ralph FullerMuseu do Caramulo

Today every fire helps Hitler

Ralph Fuller
National Fire Protection Association, U.S.A.

Today every fire helps Hitler

Ralph Fuller
National Fire Protection Association, U.S.A.

That souvenir may be vital might save you this! by UnkownMuseu do Caramulo

That "souvenir" may be vital might save you this!

Mac 
1941

A careless word a needless sinking by UnknownMuseu do Caramulo

A careless word... a needless sinking

Anton Otto Fischer
Office of War Information, U.S.A. 
1942

We look all-ways before crossing by UnknownMuseu do Caramulo

We work for victory too! We look all-ways before crossing.

Unknown
American Automobile Association
1944

We work for victory too! We look all-ways before crossing.

Unknown
American Automobile Association
1944

Bits of careless talk are pieced together by the enemy (1943) by Stevan DohanosMuseu do Caramulo

Bits of careless talk are pieced together by the enemy

Stevan Dohanos
Office of War Information, U.S.A. 
1943

Your pen… an enemy weapon? Watch what you write (1943) by UnkownMuseu do Caramulo

Your pen… an enemy weapon? Watch what you write.

Unknown
Recruiting Publicity Bureau U.S. Army
1943

Your pen… an enemy weapon? Watch what you write.

America calling. Take your place in Civilian Defense. (1941) by Office for Emergency Management, USAMuseu do Caramulo

America calling. Take your place in Civilian Defense.

Unknown

Office for Emergency Management, U.S.A.
1941

Broken head broken legs! (1942) by UnknownMuseu do Caramulo

Broken head. Broken legs!

Unknown
Reichsverbandes der Gewerblichen Berufsgenossenschaften, Germany
1942

…For our patron’s health Keep these under cover (1944) by NydorfMuseu do Caramulo

…for our patron’s health. Keep these under cover.

Nydorf
Federal Security Agency, U.S.A.
1944

America is the loser, too - when avoidable accidents stop prodution The U.S. Army says "Make Haste Safety" by Jes Wilhelm SchlaikjerMuseu do Caramulo

America is the loser, too

 - when avoidable accidents stop prodution The U.S. Army says "Make Haste Safely"

Jes Wilhelm Schlaikjer
1942

America is the loser, too

 - when avoidable accidents stop prodution The U.S. Army says "Make Haste Safely"

Jes Wilhelm Schlaikjer
1942

America is the loser, too

 - when avoidable accidents stop prodution The U.S. Army says "Make Haste Safely"

Jes Wilhelm Schlaikjer
1942

If you tell where they’re going… They may never get there Don’t talk about troop movements (1943) by James R. BinghamMuseu do Caramulo

If you tell where they’re going… They may never get there

Don’t talk about troop movements

James R. Bingham
Office of War Information, U.S.A.
1943

Someone talked! (1942) by SiebelMuseu do Caramulo

Someone talked!

Siebel
Office of War Information, U.S.A.
1942

Someone talked!

Siebel
Office of War Information, U.S.A.
1942

Somebody blabbed ... don't tlak about ship movements! ... don't talk about war prodution! Button your lip! by UnknownMuseu do Caramulo

Somebody blabbed

… don’t talk about ship movements!
… don’t talk about war production! Button your lip!

Albert Dorne

Somebody blabbed

… don’t talk about ship movements!
… don’t talk about war production! Button your lip!

Albert Dorne

Don't pay for your ride with careless talk! Remember... when you open the door - shut your mouth! by UnknownMuseu do Caramulo

Don't pay for your ride with careless talk!

Remember... when you open the door - shut your mouth!

Unknown

Hans wrote that his Division comes after... Pst! The enemy is listening! (1940) by UnknownMuseu do Caramulo

Hans wrote that his Division comes after...

Pst! The enemy is listening!

Unknown
1940

Hans wrote that his Division comes after...

Pst! The enemy is listening!

Unknown
1940

Our carelessness their secret weapon (1943) by UnkownMuseu do Caramulo

Our carelessness their secret weapon

Unknown
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Forest Service
1943

Awards for careless talk by UnkownMuseu do Caramulo

Award for careless talk

Stevan Dohanos
Office of War Information, U.S.A.

1944

A careless word ...another cross (1943) by John AthertonMuseu do Caramulo

A careless word ...another cross

John Atherton
1943

A careless word ...another cross

John Atherton
1943

US safety program The U.S. army says... "make haste safely" by UnkownMuseu do Caramulo

The U.S. army says… make haste safely

Unknown
Office of the Provost Marshall General, U.S.A.
1943

It might be you! Caring for Evacuees is a National Service.B133 by UnkownMuseu do Caramulo

It might be you! Caring for Evacuees is a National Service.

Unknown
Ministry of Health, Great Britain

It might be you! Caring for Evacuees is a National Service.

Unknown
Ministry of Health, Great Britain

A careless word... A needless loss (1943) by Anton Otto FischerMuseu do Caramulo

A careless word... a needless loss

Anton Otto Fischer
Office of War Information, U.S.A.
1943 

A careless word... a needless loss

Anton Otto Fischer
Office of War Information, U.S.A.
1943 

Students: Think and play safely! by UnknownMuseu do Caramulo

Students: Think and play safely!

Unknown
Michigan Railroads Association, U.S.A.

Students: Think and play safely!

Unknown
Michigan Railroads Association, U.S.A.

The result of uncensored thoughtlessness (1940) by MontgomeryMuseu do Caramulo

The result of uncensored thoughtlessness

Montgomery
1940

The result of uncensored thoughtlessness

Montgomery
1940

The result of uncensored thoughtlessness

Montgomery
1940

Help the city children Making a new home for Evacuees is a National Service. by UnknownMuseu do Caramulo

Help the city children

Making a new home for Evacuees is a National Service.

Raymond Lufkin
1943

It's important to keep the shower sprays clean dirty shower by UnkownMuseu do Caramulo

Ol' Red Wabbler says:

It's important to keep the shower sprays clean

Unknown

America open your eyes! (1941) by Jean CarluMuseu do Caramulo

"Business as usual" America open your eyes!

Jean Carlu
1944

"Business as usual" America open your eyes!

Jean Carlu
1944

Line up properly with runway, when landing and taking off by UnknownMuseu do Caramulo

Line up properly with runway

When landing and taking off

Unknown

Lies! Prevent accidents by JoeMuseu do Caramulo

Read! And prevent accidents.

Unknown

Read! And prevent accidents.

Unknown

Credits: Story

The people of the involved nations were mobilised in an active support of the war effort by the powerful images in the posters. The printed poster was the main form of propaganda, especially since it was easy to produce and could be glued almost anywhere, so that the message was always present among the citizens, asking them to give more of themselves, produce more and sacrifice themselves for the sake of the war effort. The posters were also the most democratic way of reaching equally all kinds of people. In the United States alone, more than 3000 different posters were produced. 

The Art of Persuasion - Financing
The Art of Persuasion - Production
The Art of Persuasion - Motivation
The Art of Persuasion - Rationing

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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