VILLAINS

Merging symbols from different countries and cultures, Germany puts a blanket of mistrust and hate over many of its enemies.Specifically naming the allies countries as being puppet states for the ‘men-acing’ Jew.

The representation of the villains of the Fascist Italian state are shown in the symbols of the flags and stereotypes of its people. The use African Americans and leaders like Roosevelt and Churchill are used to convey the reality of the enemy that comes to them.

The US paints a sinister portrait of its enemies to try and convince the population that it was a necessity for their safety to fight the menacing figures that scheme far away from your home.

Using the symbols of the enemies flags for the ‘villainous’ Jew to hide behind, the German people can see that the source of Germanies woes are in the shadows lurking behind its enemies.

If it was not referenced enough, in bold text states, “Hinter den Feindmachten: derJude”- Behind the enemy powers, the Jew.

The German propaganda machine puts a dark meaning behind the Star of David. Making it a marker of someone that was less than a person. And someone who was pure evil, out for the destruction of Germany.

We see this marking the Soviet Union as a Jewish State, even though they disliked all religions, to brand them as less than human and will forever be an enemy if left alone.

In this particular image we see the brutish African American soldier grabbing an Italian woman portrayed as a pristine marble statue.

“el liberta...dei liberatori!”-Freedom, of the Liberators!

The text tells us how the Americans might be claiming to ‘Liberate’ the Italians from their leader Mussolini, but this is the freedom they offer. A savage soldier raping Italy of its culture and innocence.

We see the negative depiction of Africans in Italian propaganda from their invasion of Africa claiming that they were nothing more than uncivilized savages. And this mentality is continued with depicting Americans as these ‘barbarians’ as they begin the push in North Africa and later Italy.

In this particular poster we see from the West Hideki Tojo, Japans leader during WW2, and to the East Adolf Hitler, leader of Nazi Germany.

This is a powerful image showing how the US is surrounded on all sides and how this war that was once divided across two oceans was right on their doorstep.

The threat of enemy powers attacking on American soil, and how close the danger really was for the average American, needed to be conveyed. Sure the war was all the way in Europe and in Eastern Asia, but how long till the Axis powers peer their hungry eyes towards the US?

The power hungry tyrants would not simply stop once they finished their conquests half a world away. And the US population had to be ready to defend their homes.

Ekaterini Kokalias - Lina Mora - Michael Drew

VILLAINSSymbols

P R O P A G A N D A W W I I

G E R M A N Y

U N I T E D S T A T E S

I T A L Y

USA, Soviet Union, Britain

Japan, Germany,Italy

Jews, Soviet Union,USA, Britain

H e r o e s

Hitler was slightly different from his Italian counterpart by not being so focused on himself. While there are many examples of Hitler as a godly leader, he appears to more of a vassal to lead the already great German people to victory. And he was just the way there.

While above we see the previous leaders glorifying themselves to the people, we do not see that from the Americans. We may see heroes celebrated, but never put on a pedestal above others. Which is a mentality that kept with American culture for over 200 years since their separation from the English King who was ‘chosen’ by God. Everyone is equal and no one should have more power than another.

Here we see Hitler holding the Nazi flag in one hand and a clenched fist in the other. With this powerful posture he begins leading his fellow Germans forward to a bright future.

Behind him is the German eagle soaring down from heaven itself. While Hitler is the main focus he isn’t a deity, it is the symbol of Germany that gets this godly status. That the German people were all chosen by god and above all others.

“Es lebe Deutschland!”-Long live Germany!

This poster emphasis how the German people are the ‘master race’ and that their superiority will lead them to the ‘perfect’ world. And while Hitler might be ‘great’, it is the German people who are truly the masters of this world.

In this Futurist painting of Mussolini, we see the use of geometries to piece together the image of Il Duce.

Mussolini dominates the image as a god above the land that he oversees. the only thing above him are the clouds with planes and zeppelins circling him.

He almost always has new technologies from Italy around him showing how he will lead Italy into the future and be the envy of the world.

But most importantly of all, this portrays Mussolini as a god above the people. He deified himself to establish his rule and total control over Italy and its people. A very common practice that we see repeated over again with other dictatorships even into the present.

While this may not be a propaganda poster, it is still very much propaganda. Children comics were invented during WW2 to encourage kids and young adults that they could play a big role in the war effort and boost morale of the young soldiers over seas.

Captain America is the very first ‘Super Hero’ we see and his main purpose is to fight the evil Nazi villains. Later we do see other popular heroes battle the Axis powers including Batman, Superman, and even villains like the Joker (cause even comic villains hate Nazis).

While the ‘Cap’ might be dressed a little cliche with all American flag apparel, he speaks to young American’s with pride for their country.These comics gave hope to young Americans and helped say that everyone has the ability to be a great hero, or even a super hero.

Mussolini was a master manipulator of all forms of media at the time. He knew how to display himself in a positive way to show how he was the leader Italy needed. He was so good at this and through his speeches he was given the nickname ‘IL duce’, or the boss.

H e r o e s

G E R M A N Y

U N I T E D S T A T E S

I T A L Y

Symbols Mussolini Pilots

Hitler and Nazis:

Uncle SAM, President,Captain America:

P R O P A G A N D A W W I I