The National WWII Museum | New Orleans The National WWII Museum | New Orleans
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  • Allied Propaganda Posters of WWII Allied Propaganda Posters of WWII 2009.451.788, Gift of Dr. Frank B. Arian

  • We Can... We Will... We Must!

    Allied Propaganda of WWII

    A special exhibit at The National WWII Museum, on view November 27, 2013 through February 16, 2014

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  • About the Exhibit

    A Special Exhibit at The National WWII Museum

    On View November 27, 2013 – February 16, 2014

    "We Can Do It," "Loose Lips Sink Ships," and "I Want You" are sayings that have become ingrained on the American consciousness. These and others were part of propaganda campaigns used during WWII to unite the American people towards a common cause.

    The National WWII Museum is currently exhibiting some of the most famous propaganda posters from the era along with more obscure works, Home Front artifacts, newsreels and more as part of the special exhibit We Can. . . We Will. . . We Must! Allied Propaganda of WWII. The exhibit not only highlights the physical works of propaganda during wartime, it also explores how these slogans and images were created and how specific tools and devices were utilized to elicit a response.

  • Events at The Museum

    Events at the Museum

    • "Art and Propaganda: Louisiana Artists Supporting the War Effort" by Megan Franich Lagniappe Lecture Friday December 13, 2013 12:00pm – 1:00pm H Mortimer Favrot Orientation Center

      During the Great Depression, FDR implemented the Works Progress Administration’s Federal Art Project. The FAP of Louisiana hired artists, men and women, to help record and preserve history. As the WPA came to an end, the FAP helped America prepare for WWII by designing propaganda posters for the Red Cross, the Army, and the Navy in 1942. Megan Franich will discuss how Louisiana artists made this transition. For more information call 504-528-1944 x 229.

    • Propaganda Art Making Activities Family Activity Table Thursday
      December 26, 2013       Saturday January 4, 2014 10:00am – 2:00pm (daily) Louisiana Memorial Pavilion

      The Museum will set out an activity table for kids to color their own propaganda posters and do other small craft projects that connect with the propaganda posters in the special exhibition.

      Register for this event
    • "OWI Shorts" Film Fest Film Screening Wednesday January 22, 2014 6:00pm – 8:00pm Stage Door Canteen

      Propaganda was not only visible through poster art, but many other types of media throughout the war, especially film. The Bureau of Motion Pictures under the Office of War Information (OWI) supervised film production, evaluated scripts, and produced an instructional manual for Hollywood directors. See Private SNAFU, Walt Disney, Looney Toons, and Hanna-Barbera selections, along with clips from Hollywood films influenced by the OWI.

      RSVP for this event
    • Propaganda: Graphic Art or Advertising? Lagniappe Lecture Wednesday February 5, 2014 12:00pm – 1:00pm H Mortimer Favrot Orientation Center

      Are propaganda posters art, advertising, or both? Special Exhibit Curator Chrissy Gregg will discuss the history, process, and division among artists and advertisers to illustrate information to the public during World War II. These competing factions believed certain techniques and tools would elicit a greater emotional response from viewers. Join us to learn which group ultimately determined the visual messages of these posters.

      Register for this event
    • Student Artwork Contest: Imagine a World Without Hate Special Event December 13, 2013 - February 16, 2014 9:00am – 5:00pm Special Exhibition Gallery Lobby

      The Museum is partnering with the Anti-Defamation League to display winning selections from the “Imagine a World without Hate” student art competition. The artwork from elementary, middle, and high school students from around the region will be on exhibit with We Can. . . We Will. . .We Must! Allied Propaganda Posters of WWII from December 13, 2013 to February 16, 2014.

  • Classroom Resources

    Classroom Resources

    The Propaganda Posters of WWII

    Fact Sheet

    Winning Over Hearts and Minds:
    Analyzing WWII Propaganda Posters

    Lesson Plan

    Take a Closer Look

    Primary Sources from the Museum's Collection

    Skype Lesson Connection

    Registration for Skype Lesson**

  • "Women in the war. We can't win without them” provides an image of a woman riveting part of an AN-M26 Parachute flare. Many employment and recruitment posters like this one stressed the absolute need for women to fill the growing labor gap as many able-bodied men went off to war. This poster was produced by the War Manpower Commission in Washington, D.C. in 1942.

    Gift of Gift of Anne and Jack Kelsey
    2013.077.123

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  • "Get the Jap and get it over!" offers an image of a ragged Nazi flag under a Japanese flag, suggesting that it is time for the Japanese nation to be defeated as well. This poster was produced by the US Employment Service, War Manpower Commission in 1945.

    Gift of Anne and Jack Kelsey
    2013.077.120

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  • "Buy that invasion bond!" provides an image of the Normandy invasion scene, including different types of landing craft and aircraft painted with Normandy stripes. As the expenses of war mounted, the US Treasury Department launched an ambitious propaganda campaign stressing that war costs were a shared debt of the American public and that their contributions made an impact in impending battles. This poster was created by the artist R. Moore for the US Treasury in 1944.

    Gift of Dr. Frank B. Arian
    2013.077.103

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  • "Women - There's work to be done and a war to be won...Now!" uses a cartoon design to show the many different employment opportunities for woman including riveting, working as a mechanic or even serving food. This poster was created by the US Employment Service, War Manpower Commission in 1944.

    Gift of Anne and Jack Kelsey
    2013.077.119

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  • "This happens every 3 minutes" according to official Army-Navy figures collected from August 1944 to February 1945. This is one of the more graphic wartime propaganda images. Rarely did American propaganda show battlefield casualties. The message stresses the harder you work, the less Americans die. This image of a fallen American soldier was created from an original Army Signal Corps photograph in 1945.

    Gift of Anne and Jack Kelsey
    2013.077.111

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  • "Don’t let that shadow touch them" provides an image of American children threatened by the shadow of a swastika. This poster hinted that Nazi presence on US soil could be a reality. The message is that that you can protect the innocent through the purchase of bonds. This poster was created by the artist Lawrence Boall Smith for the US Government Printing Office in 1942.

    Gift of Burton H. Silberman
    2008.388.011

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  • "The enemy laughs when you loaf" offers an image of laughing caricatures of Hirohito, Hitler and Mussolini. This American poster was produced during World War II. The deliberate cartoonish depiction of the Axis leaders diminishes their credibility and perceived power and makes them appear less threatening and menacing.

    Gift of Anne and Jack Kelsey
    2013.077.104

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  • "My Daddy is a hero! And you?" provides an image of a Russian child holding an image of her Russian soldier and father. This piece utilizes the bandwagon tactic to play up the guilt if your child cannot say this about you. This British poster indicates through the English and Cyrillic languages used together that these two countries are Allies.

    Gift of the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art
    Laurel, Mississippi
    2009.110.036

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  • "Twice a patriot!" shows African American ex-soldier Obie Bartlett, who lost his left arm during the attack on Pearl Harbor, now working as a welder in a shipyard. Posters like this were displayed in African American communities across the United States, showing everyone’s crucial role in the war, despite skin color. Although the realities and opportunities for African Americans in the factories and on the front lines were very different than these idealized images, these posters were an effective recruitment tool. This American poster was produced in 1943.

    Gift of Anne and Jack Kelsey
    2013.077.122

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  • "Together" provides an image of British Commonwealth servicemen including Canadians, Indians, South Africans, and Australians. Its message is that all Commonwealth soldiers, despite their diverse backgrounds and differing military branches, are all necessary to achieve victory. This British poster was printed for Her Majesty’s Stationery Office by Lowe & Brydone Printers in London during World War II.

    Gift of the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art
    Laurel, Mississippi
    2009.110.044

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  • Rosie Poster Buy It! Rosie the Riveter Poster Your purchase supports educational Museum programming.
  • I Want You Poster Buy It! "I Want You" Poster Your purchase supports educational Museum programming.
  • Posters of WWI & WWII Playing Cards Buy It! Posters of WWI & WWII Cards Your purchase supports educational Museum programming.
The National WWII Museum | New Orleans

The National WWII Museum tells the story of the American Experience in the war that changed the world - why it was fought, how it was won, and what it means today - so that all generations will understand the price of freedom and be inspired by what they learn.

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945 Magazine Street New Orleans, LA 70130
Phone: (504) 528-1944 - Fax: (504) 527-6088 - Email: info@nationalww2museum.org | Directions

With support from The James R. Moffett Family Foundation.