Why We Fight: “Prelude to War,” 1942
Why We Fight: “Prelude to War,” 1942
Duration: 7:24. Sound. Black & White.
Description and Context:
The United States government sponsored the Why We Fight series of films during World War II to give soldiers a framework to understand their patriotic duty to fight against fascism abroad. Directed by Frank Capra, the Why We Fight series taught soldiers that the U.S. war effort was necessary for the United States to protect ”freedom” from “slavery,” not just to seek revenge for Pearl Harbor. This clip, from the introductory series, Prelude to War, shows how the U.S. government collaborated with Hollywood to use film to persuade soldiers, and then civilians, of the glory and importance of the United States’ war effort.
Questions to Consider:
How does this film use American history to justify the country’s necessary involvement in war?
How are America’s enemies—Germany, Italy, and Japan— portrayed and what differentiates their ideals from America’s?
What role does religion play in motivating soldiers to fight?
Why do you think government officials thought it necessary to teach soldiers why they were fighting the war?
Transcript:
00:00:00
Taking advantage of their fanatical worship of the god emperor, it was no great trick to take away what little freedom they had ever known. Yes, in these lands, the people surrendered their liberties and threw away their human dignity.
00:00:17
Voiceover: They gave up their rights as individual human beings
Hitler: Sieg Heil! Sieg Heil! Sieg Heil!
Voiceover: And became a part of a mass, a human herd.
00:00:43
Voiceover: Although these countries were far apart and different in custom and in language, the same poison made them much alike. Each got a new uniform.
In Italy, the new bosses wore black shirts.
In Germany, the shirts were brown.
In Japan, they hid behind the uniform of the army, but really they belonged to a sinister, secret society.
Voiceover: Their symbol was a black dragon. The other fellas had to have a symbol too.
Germany, a swastika.
In Italy, the old Roman symbol of the fasces.
00:01:17
In Germany, the-- called the new order “National Socialism” or Naziism.
In Italy, they had a shorter word, fascism.
In Japan, they had lots of names for it, “The New Era of Englightenment,” “The New Order in Asia,” “The Co-Prosperity Sphere.” But no matter how you slice it, it was just plain old-fashioned militaristic imperialism.
00:01:48
The Japs would get the prosperity and the others would get the co. They say trouble always comes in threes.
Take a good close look at this trio. Remember these faces. Remember them well. If you ever meet them, don’t hesitate.
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