Propaganda has been a powerful tool used throughout history. But how does it really work? And is it only used to trick people into believing certain things? When we hear about it, do we think only about past historic events or can we think of an example of seeing propaganda in today’s world?
Propaganda can be spread through books, movies, images, and other sources that reach mass audiences. Its primary goal is to change people’s views and opinions. After important events that changed the world’s history, propaganda started to carry a rather negative connotation. But it can also be used to spread positive messages and embrace necessary changes.
Bored Panda has already covered the topic by presenting these propaganda posters about the COVID-19 crisis. The pictures depict very recent events, so it’s no trouble for people to understand what is the hidden meaning behind them. But what about some of the older propaganda images? Are we able to decipher those?
A subreddit called PropagandaPosters with 415k members shares various posters and pamphlets that show how propaganda was spread during various periods of time. These images depict and help to understand some historical events better with their symbolic drawings, call-to-action messages, and well-portrayed stereotypes. Which one of these do you find the most influential? Leave your thoughts in the comments down below!
More Info: Reddit
#1 A Known Classic That Never Seems To Age. Date Unknown (1920s?)
Image credits: Arnmaran
#2 We Don’t Always March Straight, Swedish Armed Forces Gay Pride Poster, 2018
Image credits: TheOther36
#3 Barbarity vs. Civilisation, By René Georges Hermann-Paul, 1899
Image credits: asheikh11
#4 Anti-Vac Comic From The 1940s. Stupidity Is Timeless.
Image credits: T3SKULLBREAK
#5 Poster Distributed By Youthbuilders, The Student Group From New York City's Ps 43, To Protest Segregated Blood Banks, Produced In 1945.
Image credits: throughmethroughyou
#6 Dc Statehood Poster (2006)
Image credits: TrueBirch
#7 American Freedom. Soviet Union, 1960s
Image credits: edikl
#8 "News-Leak Embarrasses White House" 1972.
Image credits: [deleted]
#9 The Only Good Nazi Is A Dead Nazi 1945
Image credits: 70sTimewarp58
#10 "Basement With Supplies" / Ussr, 1973
Image credits: soviet_posters
#11 This Patient Is Hopeless. He Was Diagnosed With A Complete Lack Of Dollars. Soviet Union, 1950s
Image credits: atotalfuckingfailure
#12 "Evolution?" // Anti- Nuclear War Poster (1970s Ussr)
Image credits: ManOfReasonCC
#13 "Nuclear War", Soviet Union, C. 1980s
Image credits: Zzyzwicz_
#14 “Rationing Means A Fair Share For All Of Us” - USA, 1940s
Image credits: EssoEssex
#15 United States During World War I (1917)
Image credits: AntergosLinux
#16 Pro-Child Labor Poster ~1915
Image credits: vulverine
#17 "Tax The Loafer - Not The Loaf" - Britain, 1920s
Image credits: 1stDegreeBoo-Urns
#18 Brazilian Cartoon On Us Presidential Election 2008
Image credits: SpaceDetective
#19 "Don't Throw Stones", Iraq, 2004
Image credits: buzzkill_chad
#20 1900s, Anti-Feminist Poster.
Image credits: throughmethroughyou
#21 2009 Net Neutrality Poster
Image credits: skabeteber
#22 Hitler Youth Poster (1930s) And American Meat Industry Poster (1980s)
Image credits: Unleashtheducks
#23 Don't Go To Spain (UK, 1970s)
Image credits: purpleaardvark1
#24 "Diplomacy, The American Way", Ussr, 1986
Image credits: Geeglio
#25 Hoarders, Panic Buyers, Shame On You! (Nazi Germany, 1942)
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Image credits: ObjectiveMall
