Were political cartoons part of the causes of U.S. support for World War I and for World War II?

Political cartoons were a factor in swaying us to join World War I, to support the Allies in World War II before the attack at Pearl Harbor, and to support our war effort once we entered both wars.

The media had a big impact on American public opinion. Newspapers were a major source of information for many people in the 1920s and in the 1930s. Many political cartoons showed the Germans in a negative light. The cartoons showed how German submarines were killing innocent American people. They showed what the world would be like if the Axis Powers defeated Great Britain prior to 1941.

During both wars, political cartoons and posters encouraged Americans to support the war. People were encouraged to buy Liberty Bonds. They were encouraged to be careful of what they said because German spies could possibly be in our country. The phrase “Loose lips sink ships” became popular. People were also encouraged to conserve food and to grow their own vegetables.

The use of political cartoons and posters helped sway American public opinion to support our decision to join the Allies in World War I, to support Great Britain before the attack at Pearl Harbor, and to support our war effort in both World War I and in World War II.