Bored Panda
30 Of The Best Historic Propaganda Visuals As Shared By This Dedicated Online Community
HistoryJUL 29, 2021

30 Of The Best Historic Propaganda Visuals As Shared By This Dedicated Online Community

247
18
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?)

A Known Classic That Never Seems To Age. Date Unknown (1920s?)
Report
289points

#2 Help Keep Your School All American! [1950]

Help Keep Your School All American! [1950]
277points

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

We Don’t Always March Straight, Swedish Armed Forces Gay Pride Poster, 2018
250points

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

Barbarity vs. Civilisation, By René Georges Hermann-Paul, 1899
Report
230points

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

Anti-Vac Comic From The 1940s. Stupidity Is Timeless.
225points

#6 Poster Distributed By Youthbuilders, The Student Group From New York City's Ps 43, To Protest Segregated Blood Banks, Produced In 1945.

Poster Distributed By Youthbuilders, The Student Group From New York City's Ps 43, To Protest Segregated Blood Banks, Produced In 1945.
209points

#7 Anti-American Poster, Ussr, 1960

Anti-American Poster, Ussr, 1960
160points

#8 Dc Statehood Poster (2006)

Dc Statehood Poster (2006)
Report
158points

#9 American Freedom. Soviet Union, 1960s

American Freedom. Soviet Union, 1960s
Report
153points

#10 "News-Leak Embarrasses White House" 1972.

"News-Leak Embarrasses White House" 1972.
Report
150points

#11 "The First Lesson" - Ussr, 1964.

"The First Lesson" - Ussr, 1964.
136points

#12 The Only Good Nazi Is A Dead Nazi 1945

The Only Good Nazi Is A Dead Nazi 1945
132points

#13 "Basement With Supplies" / Ussr, 1973

"Basement With Supplies" / Ussr, 1973
131points

#14 This Patient Is Hopeless. He Was Diagnosed With A Complete Lack Of Dollars. Soviet Union, 1950s

This Patient Is Hopeless. He Was Diagnosed With A Complete Lack Of Dollars. Soviet Union, 1950s
128points

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

"Evolution?" // Anti- Nuclear War Poster (1970s Ussr)
121points

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

“...they Don’t Really Seem To Know Why They Are Protesting!” USA, 2011
Report
120points

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

"Nuclear War", Soviet Union, C. 1980s
Report
119points

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

“Rationing Means A Fair Share For All Of Us” - USA, 1940s
Report
114points

#19 United States During World War I (1917)

United States During World War I (1917)
109points

#20 Pro-Child Labor Poster ~1915

Pro-Child Labor Poster ~1915
Report
105points
247
18