Emily Provenzo

2/03/20

History Assignment

Dr. Pattwell

World War II: The Origins of Public Relations

Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the United States declared

war on Japan. Which lead to the involvement of thousands of Americans being deployed or

armed from home soil. World War II was an essential event in helping to create and define what

we know as Public Relations. By using propaganda such as Rosie the Riveter, posters, the radio,

and other mediums in the early 1940’s, Americans were able to rally behind each other in

supporting the war overseas by providing soldiers, weapons and support. We can observe

“Public Relations was spreading around the world as an expression and practice only after World

War II, during the second half of the twentieth century” (Rudiger, 2014). This quote shows the

importance of World War II on the continuing development and distinction in the field of Public

Relations and how influential it can be.

Propaganda was a major tool used on both sides of the war to unite against a common

enemy and covered a variety of platforms. However, ethical implications arose with the use of

this tactic. Both countries, Germany and the United States, created vast promotions during the

war that were degrading to their opposing sides.  A great sense of nationalism was building up

and these propagandists did anything to keep their country on top no matter how degrading and
deceiving we could possibly be. For instance, governments took every flaw of our enemies and

blew them out of proportion regardless if it was offensive or untrue.

Radio broadcasts were another source of propaganda. “The radio broadcasts on military

topics that were broadcasted in the period immediately before World War II were propagandistic

ones, asking for volunteer work presented as a sacred duty” (Bilbiie, 2010). Visual and hearing

aids can make a lasting impact on the public resulting in shared ideas or opinions. Even with the

rise of ethical implications, wartime propaganda was vital due to that power that comes with

public support. Propaganda had a lasting impact on American society. To this day, politicians

use billboards, advertisements, posters and other mediums to get their message out or to bash a

component.

Rosie the Riveter was an important character during World War II. The famous “We Can

Do It!” slogan was a battle cry for women all over the country. She was designed “to represent

the women who supported the American efforts in World War II by taking manufacturing jobs to

produce airplanes, munitions, ships, and tanks” (Anderson, 2019). Women played a vital role in

helping America in its war effort. To provide inspiration “wartime communication from entities

ranging from businesses to the US government to non-profit groups tried to associate production

with patriotism and to present employees as manufacturing warriors” (Anderson, 2019).

By implementing the production and use of Rosie the Riveter, women were empowered

and felt they were able to truly make a difference in the war efforts. Rosie was able to unite

women under one ideology that women can do whatever men do. For example, taking over for

them in factories manufacturing weapons, airplanes, tanks and ships going towards a greater

cause- winning the war. No longer were women regarded as domestic and responsible for a clean

house but were major key players in World War II.

 Throughout my research, World War II was a very important event in the contribution to

Public Relations. Prior to the official development and title of PR, there were many early forms

of public influence and communications management. The use of propaganda played an

important role in uniting the United States under one common cause. We know in history the

unification of a country is hard with so many different and diverse people, culture, and beliefs.

Posters, radio broadcasts, and newspapers helped influence the American people to come

together under one ideology. Patriotism and their love for freedom ignited the driving force to

align with the Allies. Men, women, and children each played a unique role in the contribution to

present day Public Relations.

 References

Anderson, W. B. (2019). How to keep Rosie the riveter from contracting VD: A case study of

how U.S. social reformers used public relations during World War II. Public

Relations Review, 45(5), 101787. doi: 10.1016/j.pubrev.2019.05.008

Bilbiie , R. (2010). The preparation of the population before World War II through propaganda

radio broadcast with military themes. Journal of Media Research, 86–93.

Rendell, Kenneth W. “Inside America's Shocking WWII Propaganda Machine.” National

Geographic, 19 Dec. 2016, www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2016/12/world-war-2-

propaganda-history-books/.

Rudiger, F. (2014). The Public Relations and the debate about propaganda in the period between

wars. Intercom- RBCC, 37, 45–70.