Pearl Harbor Propaganda Posters

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

Posters for Recruitment

Remember Pearl Harbor

Avenge Pearl Harbor

Doris Miller Pearl Harbor Posters

Miscellaneous Pearl Harbor Propaganda Posters