Design a Second World War Propaganda Poster
Feeling creative? Can you design an eye-catching wartime propaganda poster?
First find out what a propaganda poster is, and why the British government used these to help persuade people to do their bit during the Second World War. Then, look at our examples and have a go at designing your own!
Helping to win the war
During the Second World War, the British government needed to rally the nation and encourage everyone to work together to win the war. This included people living at home in the UK and across the British Empire, and soldiers fighting overseas. One of the ways the government did this was through information designed to influence, inspire and inform. When it is used in a political way or during wartime, this kind of information is called propaganda.
At the time of the Second World War, there was no such thing as the internet or social media, and no televisions in people's homes. So, the government had to rely on other ways to deliver messages to the British people. They used newspapers, films shown at the cinema and posters.
MESSAGES OF HOPE AND INSPIRATION
Wartime propaganda posters, like the one shown here, had different kinds of messages. Some posters were made to encourage people to join the armed forces, some warned about the dangers of gossiping, and some encouraged people to stockpile metal or grow their own food (as there was a shortage of food and materials while the war was going on).
But while the messages might be different, some things were always the same. The British people were portrayed on the posters as wholesome and heroic, while the enemy was depicted as evil or grotesque.
DESIGN A WARTIME PROPAGANDA POSTER
Now it's your turn to design a Second World War propaganda poster of your own! Have a think about the messages a government might want to give people during a major conflict – it could be something to raise people’s spirits, help them to stay safe, or persuade them to fight for their country. You could use some of the examples of real posters below as inspiration, look at images of other propaganda posters online, or think of your own new idea.
Use a sheet of paper and some coloured pens, pencils or paints to create your poster. Make sure you present your message in an eye-catching way that would capture people’s attention and persuade them to support your cause!
