Posters of World War II

The poster, with its bold graphics and vivid messages, was an indispensable means of communication in World War II. In the U.S. and Great Britain, thousands were mass produced to educate and motivate the public to support the war effort. Their simple, powerful messages and vivid graphics unified the nations as no other medium could.

In addition to edicts to ration and be more productive, national defense and the need for silence was a prevalent theme. The adage "The walls have ears" was used over and over to remind the populace that even if they were not a soldier, they were responsible for their neighbors' lives. To illustrate this delicate theme for which there were no ready made symbols, graphic artists drew upon photomontage as well as stirring symbolism.

The Blair-Murrah exhibition of World War II posters from the United States and the United Kingdom provides some of the finest examples of these stirring graphics. Accompanied by 11 educational videocassettes, such as "The Nazi Strike," Capra's academy award winning "Prelude to War," and others, this exhibit provides viewers with an in depth look into what war really meant to the people of the world.