In this activity, students will view clips from the film series The War that focus on key themes and then examine how these themes were reflected in propaganda posters. The video clips often contain segments of newsreel stories that introduce the theme. These are followed by commentary from some of the recurring characters in the series.

Next, a set of discussion questions will help students explore the themes and propaganda messages in more detail. In culminating activities, students will create a presentation that examines the composition of propaganda posters and their effectiveness in communicating their message. Students will also have the opportunity to create a propaganda poster on a current topic.

Lesson Objectives

The student will:

• Analyze the importance of propaganda posters and newsreel films in a nation’s war effort.
• Identify the ways propaganda posters appeal to human emotions and motivate people to take action.
• Analyze how the propaganda posters created during World War II reflected real-life conditions and sent messages of encouragement and inclusiveness to civilians.
• Create their own propaganda poster art on current issues of interest.

About the Author: 

Greg Timmons has been a social studies teacher for more than 30 years. He has written lessons for and serves as an educational consultant to various PBS programs including Frontline, the NewsHour, and WashingtonWeek. He resides in Washington state and Montana.