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WWII Propaganda Posters CHC2D: Propaganda Poster Assignment The goal of Canada’s propaganda campaign during the two World Wars was to instil pride and confidence in Canada and its institutions; to show the consequences of defeat; to create a sense of personal responsibility and an acceptance of the need for sacrifice; and above all, to build up assurances of victory. You are challenged to do the same. The Task: Create a poster that achieves one or more of the above goals. The poster must: 1.) Be hand drawn by you. 2.) 3.) 4.) 5.) 6.) Be coloured in full. Have a slogan or catch phrase. Relate to a topic of the war that involved Canada. Send a clear and powerful message. Be able to sway the opinion, or motivate an audience. Suggested Topics: Enlistment of Soldiers Rationing of Goods Buying of Victory Bonds Threat of Defeat Support of our Soldiers Women and the War Maintaining Silence Protection of Freedoms Promotion of our Army Stirring up Support • To stir up support for the war effort, the government started a massive poster campaign. One woman recalled how the newspapers were also urging readers to “do their bid” for the war effort. • “The newspapers, they were just propaganda sheets. My goodness, on the front pages, war, war, war, and in the insides, how to cook cheaper, how to do Victory Gardens, why we should have car pools, buy Victory Bonds and tell our friends they were traitors if they didn’t load up on them too... • You remember those Sunday sections. They were jammed with war stuff. How to cook cabbage, make cabbage rolls, and then drink teh cabbage juice. Did they think we didn’t know that stuff, like how to make a dollar do the price of ten? You’d think the idiots in their big offices in Toronto and Ottawa didn’t know about the Depression we just went through – 10 years of nothing.” Rationing • People encouraged not to hoard food and to stretch their supplies as far as they would go • Some goods became scarce because they were needed for the war • In 1942, the government set up the Wartime Prices and Trade Board (WPTB) to control prices and supervise the distribution of food and other scarce goods Rationing • Every man, woman and child was issued a personal set of ration cards. • Ration cards were needed to buy gasoline, butter, sugar, meat, tea and coffee • Rationing means that the government limited the amount a person could buy and to ensure fair share of scarce goods • Rubber tires, tubes and antifreeze were scarce • Government set limits on production of materials that were not considered essential to the war effort • Liquor became luxury item • Silk stockings were hard to find because silk was needed to make parachutes • Bacon fat and bones were saved to provide glycerine for explosives and glue for aircraft • People gave up buying aluminum pots and pans and new stoves so more airplanes could be built Knowledge & Understanding -topic/theme chosen is relevant to the propaganda campaign and images are authentic and accurate. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Thinking & Inquiry -critical and creative thought is evident in slogan and picture. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Communication -poster is clear in its purpose and effectively communicates the message through both written and visual means. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Application -all aspects of assignment are effectively completed and poster clearly motivates the audience. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Total /40