In the German city of Hamburg alone, half a million people were homeless. Millions of orphans wandered the burnt-out shells of former metropolises. In some areas, infant mortality rates were one in four. Refugee camps and rationing dominated daily life. Approximately 36.5 million Europeans had died in the conflict, 19 million of them civilians. The aftermath of World War II saw much of Europe devastated in a way that is now difficult to envision. In fact, the Alliance’s creation was part of a broader effort to serve three purposes: deterring Soviet expansionism, forbidding the revival of nationalist militarism in Europe through a strong North American presence on the continent, and encouraging European political integration. Overall, propaganda was a government tool, to be used for good or evil.It is often said that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization was founded in response to the threat posed by the Soviet Union. The terrible consequences of this racist propaganda led to the Holocaust, and the death of more than six million Jews. But propaganda could also be used in deliberately harmful ways.įor example, the Nazis used propaganda to spread anti-Semitism, the hatred of Jewish people. The use of propaganda managed to turn Dunkirk from a defeat into a defiant victory and helped the British people stay positive. And the country's ability to band together, despite hardship was seen as Dunkirk spirit. Narrator: This response became known as the miracle of Dunkirk. In spite of their tribulations, defeat was not written on their faces. Radio archive: A whole navy of little ships cooperated in a super human task. Instead of presenting the story as an embarrassing defeat and a serious loss of men and equipment, the British government told it as an impressive feat of bravery and daring rescue, where Britain lived to fight another day. Many of the smaller boats were crewed by non-military or civilian volunteers, as the government had put out a desperate call for assistance. An emergency rescue was organised to bring the soldiers to Britain in a fleet of over eight hundred boats. Over four hundred thousand French and British soldiers were trapped along the beaches around Dunkirk. In May 1940, the Germans forced the French and British armies back through France, towards the English Channel. Narrator: Did you know? One of the most significant uses of propaganda was the response to the rescue of soldiers from Dunkirk in France. We gotta help the war effort, we were fighting for freedom and our country Gladys: The mentality was, Hitler is not going to get us. Narrator: Living through a war could be very hard, so having a strong sense of purpose and belief helped people get through the situation they were in. Get King Edwards potatoes and above King Edwards potatoes was this picture of Potato Pete, eat more potatoes.Īnd other posters were, save water, dig for victory, grow more vegetables, careless talk costs lives. I used to have to do shopping for my mum. I think that took your eye off what was missing. One for Potato Pete, which was a potato with legs and arms and eyes. Gladys: Well, there was posters everywhere.
Gladys remembers seeing propaganda posters when she was a child. Often propaganda was used to get people involved in the war effort, like volunteering as an air warden.
Like bringing children home from evacuation. That might be by telling people to wear visible clothing during black out or it might be by warning people against things that were bad for the war.
Propaganda was also used to tell people what they needed to know to understand the war. Propaganda information that changed how the public viewed the war and encouraged them to continue with the war effort. To counter this, the British government formed The Ministry of Information. If the public lost faith that the country would win the war, or couldn't see what they were fighting for, it could prove disastrous as they were the ones powering the war effort. You might have to go and fight or endure bombings at home. But living through the Second World War was very scary. Narrator: Britain's success in the war depended on people joining together and not losing hope.
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