Propaganda was a large part of life on the home front during World War II. This exhibit features some aspects of propaganda that the Hutchings Museum displays. Currency from around the world is also displayed.
Propaganda Postcards
Various forms of propaganda were used during World War II to boost morale, persuade citizens to buy war bonds, and put the enemy in a bad light.
Postcards were used widely as a form of propaganda. Postcards were largely circulated because they were cheap to create, buy, sell, and send. This meant the propaganda could be circulated throughout the country quickly. This postcard has been written on and used.
Propaganda Postcard (1) ReverseHutchings Museum Institute
This postcard is promoting positive propaganda. Positive propaganda uses patriotism to get citizens to feel proud of their country.
Propaganda came in more forms than posters and postcards. Dollywood Defense Dolls were also sold as propaganda, marketing towards young children. They were designed by makeup artist Betty Westmore with proceeds being donated toward the war relief. Their name was eventually changed to "Dolls of the Allies."
Axis Propaganda
Propaganda was used not only by Americans, but by the Axis powers as well. This leaflet was distributed by the Germans to discourage the Americans from their war efforts regarding an unsuccessful air raid over a German town.
Safe-Conduct/Passierschein
These leaflets were often called "passierschein." They were dropped over German troops and were to be waved by the German solider as a form of surrender. When they did so, they were taken as prisoners, but the passierschein gave them rights to food, water, removal from the danger zone, hospital care, and postal usage.
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