Matthew Whiteford 1/7/2014 Block #7 Mrs.

White

Patriotism & Propaganda

Reviewing the World War 2 posters helps tremendously in understanding how the people of that time thought back then. Some posters preach the ideas of freedom, while other posters dehumanize the enemy. In addition to reinforcing racial and gender based stereotypes. A crucial element to consider when looking back on the past is opinion. Everyone has their own and it shape they way they view the world around them. For example, using racial stereotypes about the Japanese as justification for invading Japan back in World War 2 may have been appropriate back then, however, that kind of propaganda would never fly during in day's world. Mainly since the opinion of the racial insensitivity has changed dramatically. When putting the public opinion of an era into consideration. Listening to popular song of the time is the way to go. One song that really enforces a negative opinion during WW2 would be, "We're gonna have to slap, the dirty little jap and Uncle Sam's the guy who can do it" by Bob Miller. Not only does this song encourage a war with the Japanese. It seems to impel brutality. Proven it's point when he sings, "We're gonna have to slap the dirty little Jap And Uncle Sam's the guy who can do it, We'll murder Hirohito, massacre the slob Benito, hang'em with that Shickle gruber when we're thru it." People back then think that was pretty catchy, yet a song like this wouldn't be as popular. Since no one wants to mention a massacre when trying to

justify a war, regardless how similar the circumstances are. As public opinion changes, so must the approach of propaganda. Just like in Toby Keith's song, "Courtesy of the red, White , And Blue." where he using the tragedy of 9/11 to encourage the public to support the war in the middle east. As he sings, "Oh justice will be served and the battle will rage: This big dog will fight when you rattle his cage." This song doesn't urge violence, but it does suggest we support the war. Whether this is simply a patriotic song or some form propaganda is any one's guess. None the less, the song does express the opinion of some but not all Americans at the time. Another topic that certainly forms opinions is the Hiroshima bombing. At the time, it seem like a great idea. They thought they would be saving a lot of lives. As people look back on the incident, not so much. In fact, the public opinion now deems the attack as unnecessary. Japan was on the verge of surrender, and the bombing is viewed as inhumane. Even some the commanding officers at the time believed it was pointless. Despite the events that take place over the course of human history. Public opinion will change as will as the times. What we consider to be propaganda over patriotism will change too. What important to realize that the human mind is what shapes future, and looking back at the past is the only way to prove that it was the right way to think.