World War II Propaganda Posters

It's World War II. Most supplies being produced are war materials. The supplies of ordinary materials are running low. Therefore the government and cooperations began running a campaign that encouraged many to conserve materials. This poster is an example of that campaign, as it stresses the need to conserve materials. This picture contains a series of ordinary, everyday materials, presumably waste. But, as one can clearly see the waste is in the shape of Hitler’s face. This is a practical use of symbolism, because it shows that your waste helps the enemy, Hitler. This poster is intended for all American, in hope that they will all conserve materials so the most of the industries can focus on the war effort. What makes this so pervasive is the way they made Hitler’s face out of ordinary junk. It is a superb use of symbolism. It is a great way of generating fear among the public out of something so simple. The poster also uses the phrase “Waste Helps the Enemy.” This too is an extremely powerful slogan, as it is simple, direct yet unusual, because many people don’t realize that waste does in fact help the enemy.