Lesson Plan: World War II Propaganda

Learning Objective: Students will be able to describe different types of propaganda that the US
used during World War II and identify goals and tools of propaganda. Students will understand
the importance of propaganda to the war effort.
Big Idea: Governments (and people) use persuasion techniques for a variety of purposes,
especially during times of war
Essential Question: What role does propaganda play in war?
Standard: 7.2.3 Impact of WWII on American Life Analyze the changes in American life
brought about by U.S. participation in World War II including
the mobilization of economic, military, and social resources
the role of women and minorities in the war effort, including the work of A. Phillip
Randolph and the integration of US military forces
the role of the home front in supporting the war effort (e.g., rationing, work hours,
taxes)
the internment of Japanese-Americans (National Geography Standard 10)
Sequence of Events:
Starter: Use film questions from yesterday to focus students on the learning goal for the day: the
role propaganda played on the United States war effort during World War II. Take volunteers to
answer each part of the first question and take 2-3 volunteers for the second question. (5
minutes)
How did the government use propaganda to unify people behind the war effort? What
is good about propaganda? What is bad about it?
Should the government lie to the public during wartime if they believe it will help the
war effort? Why or why not?
Have students define the word propaganda. What do they already know about it and its uses?
Activate prior knowledge and encourage students to think about definitions, examples, or
situations where propaganda can be used. Pose the following questions to students (10-13
minutes):
Why do you think governments would use propaganda, especially during wartime?
How strongly do you think propaganda influences peoples opinions?
Do you think that people can recognize propaganda as soon as they see it?
Can you think of any propaganda you have seen recently? Summarize what you saw
and where you saw it
After discussion, make sure students know that propaganda was used by both the Allies and the
Axis during World War II, but we are focusing specifically on its use on the home front in the
United States
Hand out Propaganda Objectives and Tools sheet to students and explain the different objectives
and tools used in propaganda (5 minutes)
Activity: Look at propaganda in different mediums (Like posters, videos, etc.) and decide which
propaganda objectives and tools they are using
Der Furhers Face Donald Duck cartoon (7 minutes): Play for the students. Give them
context for how Disney was commissioned to make several cartoon shorts. They would
play in movie theaters before the main picture. After video completes, Cold Call on
students about the objectives and tools that the short used (4 minutes)
Show students a propaganda poster (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-
hScGaYQGr9I/VWrcrgVpJWI/AAAAAAABWno/sPJkfcwsENE/s1600/Keep%2Bthese
%2Bhands%2Boff%2521%2BBuy%2Bthe%2Bnew%2BVictory%2BBonds%2B
%2528USA%2529.jpg) and have them answer the same questions as for the video. Use
this to segue into the next part of the activity by explaining that they will get to do the
same thing with other propaganda posters
Hand out propaganda graphic organizers 1 or 2. Tell them we will be going to the lab and
looking at different propaganda posters used in the US during World War II. They will be
tasked with identifying the objectives and tools that each poster uses.
Formative Assessment: Students will complete an exit ticket
(https://goo.gl/forms/nH78csJFYjMwaepw1) for the end of the hour where they will be tasked
with answering questions about the usage of propaganda and three final examples where they
will identify the objective and tools the poster is using (5 minutes)