World War II Propaganda: War Bond Promotional Film, 1942



World War II Propaganda: War Bond Promotional Film, 1942

Duration: 1:56. Sound. Black & White.

Description and Context:

This clip from a newsreel was part of the United States government’s wartime effort to cultivate resentment and anger toward Japan during World War II, with a goal of selling war bonds. The film shows the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and vilifies the Japanese and the Germans in an attempt to stimulate patriotic fervor and gain financial support for the war. President Roosevelt himself makes a direct appeal to support the bond drive.

Questions to Consider:

How does the newsreel portray Japan and Germany?

Is there a difference between how the two Axis nations are portrayed?

How does FDR motivate the country to purchase bonds?

Transcript:

00:00:00

Voiceover: The greatest double cross in history. Jap envoys talk peace in Washington. Jap planes without warning bring war to America. Our great Pacific outpost in the Hawaiian islands is ruthlessly bombed as Japan’s perfidious declaration of war.

Death and destruction unleashed on a nation at peace, on that fateful Sunday morning when this country was extending a friendly hand of conciliation and peace.

00:00:33

The treacherous attacks brought death to almost 3,000 American soldiers, sailors and civilians. Our loss in warships and planes was high, but overnight, this nation was united in an all out determination to avenge the hideous assault on American lives and property

Our battle cry is “Remember Pearl Harbor.” The President’s signature speeds our total defense, energies and resources to all out victory.

00:01:03

The evil mastermind of aggression is forced into the open. The world’s number one arsonist and killer declares the war on the United States and his stooges applaud. The vociferous junior partner in crime follows suit. Now practically the entire world is joined in a horrible war.

00:01:24

Voiceover: The President bought the first defense bond and set an early example for us all. Let’s get behind our army, our navy, and our President.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt: Fellow Americans, I ask you to demonstrate, to demonstrate again your faith in America by j--ing me in investing in the new defense savings bonds and stamps. And I know that you will hel--

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