Pearl Harbor Propaganda Posters

January 09, 2015
by Randy Miller

The attack on Pearl Harbor was a shocking event that jolted the American public, many of whom had been hesitant about or adamantly against entering the war. Pearl Harbor propaganda posters capitalized on this shock, depicting the destruction and emphasizing the need for unity and action. They became a powerful tool for the U.S. government to rally public support, boost morale, and encourage participation in the war effort. Slogans like “Remember Pearl Harbor” were commonly used, accompanied by images of burning ships or grieving families. These posters were designed to evoke strong emotions, inspire patriotism, and reinforce the seriousness of the war.

It is important to avoid presentism when looking at these Pearl Harbor Propaganda Posters. Presentism is defined as uncritical adherence to present-day attitudes, especially the tendency to interpret past events in terms of modern values and concepts.

That in no way means that we are condoning the racism of these posters. Quite the contrary. We hope that you recognize how racism is used to incite anger and motivate Americans to fight and sacrifice.

Instead of being motivated by feelings of racism or by feelings of disgust with the racism, we encourage you to look at the Pearl Harbor Propaganda Posters and consider the historical attitudes and values of the people for whom they were intended.

These posters were propaganda. The purpose of propaganda, after all, is to manipulate, to shape perceptions and further a cause. These posters were effective at that. All of the Pearl Harbor propaganda posters are meant to further U.S. patriotism. Most were positive, but some are specifically anger inducing.

Pearl Harbor Propaganda Posters for War Bonds

War bonds were a crucial part of the U.S. government’s strategy to finance World War II by encouraging the American public to invest in the war effort. Posters were used as a marketing tactic for these bonds, often featuring strong patriotic symbols, such as the American flag, soldiers in uniform, and images of eagles soaring through the sky. These symbols were paired with messages that framed the purchase of war bonds as an act of patriotism. By buying bonds, Americans could feel that they were doing their part to support the troops and defend the nation’s freedom.

REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR. BUY WAR BONDS - NARA - 515293
Steel Answers Pearl Harbor - NARA - 534108
"I Want my Daddy Back." Buy Bonds "Remember Pearl Harbor" - NARA - 514566

Posters for Recruitment

Many propaganda posters with Pearl Harbor imagery focused on encouraging men to enlist in the armed forces. These posters often depicted soldiers and sailors bravely fighting back against the enemy, with references to avenging the attack on Pearl Harbor. The imagery was designed to evoke a sense of duty, honor, and urgency, compelling men to join the fight to protect their country and seek justice for the fallen.

REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR. ENLIST NOW. UNITED STATES COAST GUARD. - NARA - 515294
REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR. TIME FOR ACTION - NARA - 515297

Remember Pearl Harbor Propaganda

The "Remember Pearl Harbor" propaganda slogan tapped into the shock and anger felt across the country in the wake of the attack. The immediate reaction was one of profound grief and a desire for retribution. Propaganda posters and other media used this emotional response to unite the American public. The attack was portrayed as a brutal and unprovoked assault, and remembering it became a call to action, urging citizens to support the war effort with unwavering resolve.

They Shall Not Have Died in Vain. Remember Pearl Harbor. Work, Fight, Sacrifice. Let's get it over with^ - NARA - 534894
These Colors Won't Run. Remember Pearl Harbor - NARA - 534303
Remember december 7th

Avenge Pearl Harbor

The "Avenge Pearl Harbor" propaganda posters capitalized on the immediate emotional response of grief and outrage to the bombing. They framed the attack as not just a military defeat but a direct affront to American honor, fueling a desire for retribution and justice. This slogan reinforced the idea that the entire nation was united in the cause of fighting back against the aggressors and defending American values. The sense of collective purpose reinforced by this phrase was crucial in maintaining public support and sustaining the war effort over the long and challenging years of conflict.

Avenge Pearl Harbor Propaganda Poster Our Bullets will do it
Make Him Pay For That Day^ - NARA - 534311
REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR - NARA - 515295

Avenge december 7
Above and beyond poster

Doris Miller Pearl Harbor Posters

"DECEMBER 7th - REMEMBER^" - NARA - 535613

Miscellaneous Pearl Harbor Propaganda Posters

These propaganda posters encompass a diverse range of designs and general messages that aimed to galvanize American public sentiment and action. Each employs vivid patriotic symbols and heroic imagery to inspire a sense of national pride and urgency. By remembering the attack and honoring those who suffered and died, citizens were motivated to contribute to the war effort in whichever ways they chose, from supporting military actions to conserving resources at home.

They cost us since Pearl Harbor - NARA - 535294
THE NAVY NEEDS SHIPS TO AVENGE PEARL HARBOR - NARA - 515627
"REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR - WORK - FIGHT- SACRIFICE^" - "WE'LL REMEMBER - AND BY GOD, YOU WONT FORGET^" - NARA - 535645

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