Propaganda & Mass Persuasion: Women's Movement and their influence on Propaganda

Wednesday, April 01, 2009

Women's Movement and their influence on Propaganda

While America was fighting overseas during the World War II, the only people that could work were the women. This was the beginning of what would become the Women's Movement. They took jobs that were once considered to be men's jobs. Women were foind in factories and steel mills. But would this have a negative effect on the country? Would we be considered weak if other countries realized that women were doing mens jobs?

"The campaign for women workers, therefore, was framed by a larger effort to persuade the civilian population that what happened on the home front was crucial for victory overseas. Given the relative isolation of Americans from battle and the fact that their country had not been bombed or invaded, the government feared the connection would not be made without clear, persistant, emotional appeals by the media for collective action and personal sacrifice." (Remembering Rosie, page 84)

During a time of war, Americans do not want the image of being cowardly. We did not want propaganda to say that women were capable of doing mens jobs. At that time, it was not proper for women to go back to work. But during World War II, women had no choice. The character of Rosie the Riveter was created. It will always be known as a symbol of women's rights.

1 Comments:

Blogger A. Mattson said...

So, what kinds of messages were used to mobilize women for war work? How did it fit into the larger context of "collective action and personal sacrifice"?

4/20/2009 10:52 PM  

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