AVENGE PEARL HARBOR!

Throughout the USA’S war with Japan, Pearl Harbor was used in patriotic propaganda

During periods of war, particular moments of aggression that strike deep within a nation’s shared consciousness are often utilised in propaganda - for example the sinking of the RMS Lusitania during World War I. The Merriam-webster dictionary defines propaganda as being: “The spreading of ideas, information, or rumour for the purpose of helping or injuring an institution, a cause or a person.” As such, particular atrocities are often used as a shared idea to stoke anger against the enemy. The 7 December attack on Pearl Harbor was no different and was used in a number of posters by the US government, such as the example shown here. Pearl Harbor was used on posters about everything from war bonds, to recruitment, to simple vengeance. Doris Miller was even used on posters as an inspirational example of bravery.