American Wartime Propaganda Poster Identification and Analysis Activity

Students will analyze propaganda posters and a few other print forms of propaganda spanning American wars from the Revolutionary War through today. They will first identify which examples of propaganda (22 images) belong to which war. Then they answer 8 questions about the nature of propaganda over the course of American military engagements, complete a two part creative activity, and time permitting can complete two other tasks detailed in the teacher information section.

The answers are included where appropriate. This could work as part of your end of year review. 

Sample questions include:
--What was the overarching purpose of propaganda in America’s history? How successful would you say its track record has been?
--List and explain at least 4 different messages propaganda posters conveyed to American citizens. Were there different messages in different wars? If so, discuss them. 
--Explain how the lack of propaganda posters for the Korean War is connected to it being considered America’s Forgotten War.
--Pick 3 posters and describe the emotions they evoke from you. Would those three posters convince you to support that particular war?

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