Young People and Propaganda
In most combatant nations, children were important targets of propaganda, as a source of influence in the family or as future recruits. As shown in the examples below, propaganda was specifically created to appeal directly to this younger audience.
Left: Popular children’s book author Munro Leaf’s 1942 book, A War-Time Handbook for Young Americans, advised children to be cheerful to make home “pleasant, happy, and comfortable”—something soldiers would fight for.
Center: Special tin banks and “victory books” offered American children incentives to save money to buy war bonds.
Right: A Japanese child might wear a jacket such as this kimono that celebrated the strength of Japan’s military might.
Take Notes
- Based on these examples, what methods were used to bring the messages of war propaganda to children and young people? How were they the same or different from the way propaganda was generally used in World War II?
- Should the use of propaganda to wage total war include children, or should they somehow be protected against it? Explain your answer.
One of the most effective ways to instill the Nazi agenda was through the Hitler Youth movement and its sister organization, the League of German Girls. Emphasizing physical fitness and preparedness to fight for Germany, the idyllic images associated with the movement often showed happy, healthy young people having seemingly innocent fun. By 1941, membership in these organizations was mandatory for all children over the age of ten.
Above: Hitler Youth shown flying toy airplanes.
