The Propaganda of War, Part 3 of 4

Unstated Assumption
This image was created by Texaco, which is a gas company, still running today. The poster and was published from 1941-1945, during World War Two. Texaco created many posters supporting the war effort. This image in particular portrays the type of propaganda named Unstated Assumption. That means the actual meaning is never stated, usually because it is ridiculous, like in this one. The image is a caricature of Prime Minister Hideki Tojo, the ruling power of Japan at the time. The text reads “Go ahead, please- TAKE DAY OFF!” (sic) which implies a multitude of things.
First of all, it says that the Prime Minister would know (and care) if one person took the day off. Next it implies that taking one day off would not only curb production, but would actually help the Axis of Evil win the war. When stated like this, the entire idea seems ridiculous, but if it is implied, it makes a lot more sense.
When this poster was created, America was in a state of turmoil and paranoia. Ideas like this seemed very reasonable. Even though it seems ridiculous now, it was the common ideal that every person worked, and did everything in their power to stop the axis of evil from taking over the world.
Also, another reason for this poster, would it be that Texaco did not want to lose any workers unnecessarily. More people showing up, and feeling that they’re working for the greater good, would mean higher productivity. Although this dual-meaning may be implausible, it may have been there anyway.


Oversimplification
This image was produced in the year 1943, as an effort to conserve gasoline. Since gas was used in production of many things, it was important to conserve it. This image displays a man, supposedly sitting alone in his car, except there is the shadow of Hitler in the passenger seat. The text says, “When you ride ALONE, you ride with Hitler! Join a Car-sharing club today!” Car-sharing clubs were basically a carpool today.
The poster is an example of oversimplification, because it implies that the gasoline crisis could easily be solved by creating a carpool. Of course, this would be very useful if everyone did it, but would not magically cure the problem. This was important to the average American because It was something that they could do even if they weren’t actually fighting.
To be honest, this would be one of the most useful things could do at that time. Along with this poster, are dozens of other ones which also show simple ways that the average American could help the war effort. At the time, the war was a very important part of life. The general consensus of the time, was to do what ever was in your power to help the war effort, even if that meant sacrificing small parts of life, or starting your own garden. Food supplies were short, so to make the stamps you received last longer, many people started growing their own food, and canning it for the winter.
When this was created, there was a war going on over seas, and Americans wanted to do whatever they could to support their army. This simple method the average American could implement.
This poster appealed to the viewing audience because it played on a sense of fear that anyone would do anything that would help the third Reich. Supposedly, Americans at the time were willing to do anything to help the war effort, and also eager to believe anything they’d heard on the radio or in the newspaper. As silly as this image seems now, back then, it was a serious topic, and a large part of our history today.