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Propaganda has been a powerful tool used throughout history. But how does it really work? And is it only used to trick people into believing certain things? When we hear about it, do we think only about past historic events or can we think of an example of seeing propaganda in today’s world? 

Propaganda can be spread through books, movies, images, and other sources that reach mass audiences. Its primary goal is to change people’s views and opinions. After important events that changed the world’s history, propaganda started to carry a rather negative connotation. But it can also be used to spread positive messages and embrace necessary changes.

Bored Panda has already covered the topic by presenting these propaganda posters about the COVID-19 crisis. The pictures depict very recent events, so it’s no trouble for people to understand what is the hidden meaning behind them. But what about some of the older propaganda images? Are we able to decipher those? 

A subreddit called PropagandaPosters with 415k members shares various posters and pamphlets that show how propaganda was spread during various periods of time. These images depict and help to understand some historical events better with their symbolic drawings, call-to-action messages, and well-portrayed stereotypes. Which one of these do you find the most influential? Leave your thoughts in the comments down below!

More Info: Reddit

#1

A Known Classic That Never Seems To Age. Date Unknown (1920s?)

Arnmaran Report

#2

Help Keep Your School All American! [1950]

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#3

We Don’t Always March Straight, Swedish Armed Forces Gay Pride Poster, 2018

TheOther36 Report

#4

Barbarity vs. Civilisation, By René Georges Hermann-Paul, 1899

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#5

Anti-Vac Comic From The 1940s. Stupidity Is Timeless.

T3SKULLBREAK Report

#7

Anti-American Poster, Ussr, 1960

DmitryZaytcev Report

#8

Dc Statehood Poster (2006)

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#9

American Freedom. Soviet Union, 1960s

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#10

"News-Leak Embarrasses White House" 1972.

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#11

"The First Lesson" - Ussr, 1964.

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#12

The Only Good Nazi Is A Dead Nazi 1945

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#13

"Basement With Supplies" / Ussr, 1973

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#15

"Evolution?" // Anti- Nuclear War Poster (1970s Ussr)

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#16

“...they Don’t Really Seem To Know Why They Are Protesting!” USA, 2011

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#17

"Nuclear War", Soviet Union, C. 1980s

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#18

“Rationing Means A Fair Share For All Of Us” - USA, 1940s

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#19

United States During World War I (1917)

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#20

Pro-Child Labor Poster ~1915

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#23

"Telling A Friend May Mean Telling The Enemy" - UK, Wwii.

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#24

"Don't Throw Stones", Iraq, 2004

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#26

2009 Net Neutrality Poster

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#29

"Diplomacy, The American Way", Ussr, 1986

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#30

Hoarders, Panic Buyers, Shame On You! (Nazi Germany, 1942)

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#31

"The World According To Ronald Reagan", By David Horsey, 1987.

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#32

“The Price Of Democracy” USA, 2005

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#33

Propaganda Pamphlet From The Korean War Trying To Convince American Soldiers To Defect, Early 1950s

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#34

"Liberalism, The Right Way!" - 1924 Liberal Party Campaign Poster

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#35

An Old Caricature Addressing The Different Colonial Empires In Africa Date Early 1900s

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M O'Connell
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It left out the Italian colonization of Somalia, Eritrea and Ethiopia.

F. H.
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's a German cartoon from the early 20th century satire magazine Simplicissimus.

Samantha Lomb
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Feel freed to google "Belgian Congo child cannibalism" and you will find a lovely picture of a father sat next to the hand and foot of his 5 year old child that was killed cooked and eaten by guards because he tried to flee the rubber plantation where he was effectively enslaved.

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#36

"Freedom" 1940 UK

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#37

"The Tsunami Killed 100 Times More People Than 9/11." Canceled Wwf Ad From 2009

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#39

"The Shave", Ussr, Ww2, 1945

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#40

Us Pro-Russian Poster After February Revolution 1917.

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