Weapons of Mass Dissemination: The Propaganda of War

The two world wars waged during the first half of the twentieth century were “total wars”—wars in which whole nations, not just professional armies, were engaged in combat. Public support was crucial to ensure victory, so governments and private organizations commissioned posters and other items to evoke the deep passions necessary to maintain the war effort. Political propaganda was used to prepare the nation for war, encourage enlistment in the armed forces, promote wartime production, inform citizens about proper conduct, and provide assurance that the government was taking appropriate action. The design of these images and objects remains as powerful today as when they were first created, and many are disturbing reminders of societies—including our own—engulfed by fear, hate, racism, and death. Numerous examples of wartime propaganda—including posters and paintings, sculpture, housewares, novelties, and children’s books and games—will be showcased in the exhibition. Weapons of Mass Dissemination: The Propaganda of War presents an historic portrait of wartime culture, while inviting the spectator to reflect on the critical role that design plays in our lives, especially during times of conflict.

Weapons of Mass Dissemination: The Propaganda of War was organized by The Wolfsonian-Florida International University, Miami Beach, Florida.