Propaganda: The Art of Persuasion

As an admittedly uninformed appreciator of art, works of propaganda have long held a particular appeal  for me as a result of their stark & meaningful imagery (and, of course, their historical value). Varying according to their national and temporal origins, these highly politicized pieces of art exhibit numerous styles and, in my opinion, are just plain cool. Some pieces have an understated character, while others are about as subtle as Miley Cyrus's trailer-park-Lady Gaga act. Either way, these works tend to be exceptionally compelling. 

Freedom isn't Free.

Democratic or Autocratic, Capitalist or Socialist, Badass or Blah; every type of regime has taken to the art of propaganda in order to promote their own distinctive policies, ideologies, and causes. From Uncle Sam to Guerrillero Heroico, these iconic images have resonated in the hearts and minds of countless people across time and space. The following examples exhibit just a few of the ways in which propaganda has been used to mobilize public opinion and action.

United Kingdom (ca. 1915)

 Oh, what a jolly, quaint affair that first World War must have been! Recruitment posters such as this 1915 piece aided in the mobilization of over 65 million soldiers worldwide, 9 million of which came from the United Kingdom alone ("WWI Casualty and Death Tables"). In just four years, 37 million "lads," a staggering 57.5% of the war's combatants, were killed, injured, or went missing as a result of a fatal combination of advanced military technology, flawed military doctrine, and unwavering political ideology.

United States (ca. 1942)

As World War II ravaged Europe for the second time in three decades, Salvador Dalí retreated to the United States- where he spent the next eight years of his life ("Salvador Dalí Biography"). During that time, the surrealist visionary produced this work for the US Military's campaign against Venereal Diseases. Among many works warning United States troops against the dangers of sexual relations with unfamiliar women in unfamiliar lands, this painting stands out for its depth & hidden imagery (Spoiler Alert: The women form a skull). 


France (ca. 1911)

An especially cynical & French take on socioeconomic organization, "Pyramid of Capitalist System" is an iconic piece of propaganda. Illustrating the exploitative relationship between the working class, the bourgeoisie, the armed forces, the clergy, and the government, this poster can be seen as a source of inspiration for the Wu Tang Clan's 1993 social commentary, C.R.E.A.M. ("Cash Rules Everything Around Me"). It can also be reasonably assumed that this poster inspired more than a few strongly-worded letters to French Representatives- out to keep the man down while they fatted themselves on baguettes & éclairs. Sacré Bleu!


United States (ca. 1938)

Though the "Red Scare" may seem irrational in retrospect, you better believe you would've had some sleepless nights waiting for OctoStalin to pop out from underneath your bed & convert your political allegiances. Published before the outbreak of WWII, this "pam-phlet"foreshadowed the impending rivalry between the US & USSR, whose utilitarian wartime alliance would last just four years.


Soviet Union (ca. 1941)

On June 22, 1941, Germany launched "Operation Barbarossa," its fateful invasion of the Soviet Union that opened a second front in WWII & ultimately devastated the Third Reich's ability to wage a successful war effort. The Soviet resistance was exceptionally fierce, partially due to the menacing racial ideology of Nazi Germany- which called for the enslavement of all Slavic peoples. The insanity of the Hitler's racial policies are mocked in these Soviet political cartoons portraying Reichstag President Hermann Goering & Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels.

Iraq (ca. 1980-88)

Now this is some effective propaganda! Surely this gentleman could be counted on to keep his people out of harm's way- just look how safe that girl looks. This Iraqi mural portraying Saddam "Rambo" Hussein dates to the Iran-Iraq War of the 1980's. In an era of training montages & mustaches, this piece is the truest form of art you could possibly imagine. The man is wearing Ray-Bans & a beret into battle for goodness' sake.

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"Salvador Dalí Biography." Salvador-Dali.org. Gala-Salvador Dalí Foundation, n.d. Web. 5 Oct. 2013. <http://www.salvador-dali.org/dali/en_biografia.html>.

"WWI Casualty and Death Tables." PBS.org. PBS. Web. 09 Oct. 2013 <http://www.pbs.org/greatwar/resources/casdeath_pop.html>.

Great Moments in Mustaches

The development of aesthetic trends throughout history has proven to be a curious, rather bizarre process. After some careful consideration, one thing becomes increasingly evident: the prominent role of the mustache (and cloaks. Never forget cloaks.).

So, without further ado, this installment of The Hopeless Historian will serve as tribute to some of history’s finest mustaches, the men who sported them, and their greatest achievements—facilitated, of course, by their distinguished nose neighbors.

William Howard Taft

Starting off with a bang, and a big one at that. Checking in at 335 lbs (Sotos, "Taft and Pickwick"), Taft served not only as the 27th President of the United States (1909-13), but also as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (1921-30). As if his ascension to the top of the Executive & Legislative Branches wasn’t enough on its own, Taft was also the last president to sport a ‘stache—or any form of facial hair, for that matter (I’m looking at you, Obama).

Joshua Chamberlain

Chamberlain was literally a walrus—and a valiant one, at that. Having enlisted in the Union Army with no prior military training in 1862, Chamberlain achieved acclaim the very next year at the Battle of Gettysburg. He led the 20th Maine Regiment’s critical defense of Little Round Top—preserving the union’s left flank against repeated Confederate assaults with nothing to hide behind but his mustache (Simpson, "Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain").

Owen K. Garriott

Twelve long years after Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human being to venture into outer space, Owen K. Garriott became the first human being to wear a mustache in outer space. On July 28, 1973, Garriott and two other astronauts began their 59-day flight (Grinter, "Skylab 3"). Termed Skylab 3, the mission was more than twice as long as the previous record holder, and 59 days longer than any previous mustache-clad mission.

Honorable Mention: Leonid Brezhnev’s Eyebrow

Dishonorable Mention: Michael Jordan’s Hitler ‘Stache

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Grinter, Kay. "Skylab 3." Kennedy Space Center. NASA, n.d. Web. <http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/history/skylab/skylab-3.htm>.

Simpson, Brooks D. "Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain." American National Biography Online. Oxford University Press, n.d. Web. <http://www.anb.org/articles/04/04-00218.html?a=1>.

Sotos, John G. "Taft and Pickwick: Sleep Apnea in the White House." CHEST Journal 124.3 (2003):  ChestNet. American College of Chest Physicians. Web. <http://journal.publications.chestnet.org/article.aspx?articleid=1081865>.