5 Cartoons That Are War Propaganda

In times of war, advertising also comes into play to reinforce the goals of each nation. In this scenario, cartoons represent an additional tool to involve the population in a positive campaign on the conflict.

In this way, cartoons that are war propaganda are used to encourage young people to join the war, strengthen the support of the population, praise the country and even support the military decisions of the countries involved. But what animations bring these ideas to life? Take a look at 5 designs created for these purposes right now.

Cartoons that are war propaganda

1. Anti-Zelensky cartoon

The cartoon portraying the Ukrainian president as a villain is causing controversy over who its real creators are. The suspicion is that the pro-Russian project was created by the Russians themselves. However, the Russian state press defends itself and claims that the animation was made by French animators. Because it claims that military aid to Ukraine could impoverish the Europeans.

This justification was put forward because in one of the episodes a character with features reminiscent of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyj is a fake Santa Claus who comes down the chimney to steal gifts from French children. The most interesting thing is that he chooses to steal military aircraft, which makes the reference to war even more obvious.

The cartoon is part of the anti-Zelensky animated series Ukraine Inc.. The first episode was released on the website ukraine-inc.info in 2023, and new episodes have been released regularly since then.

2. Pro-Israeli design

Interestingly, a cartoon posted on YouTube reveals the view of the State of Israel on the conflict against Palestine. This is very clear from the fact that the cartoon states that the Israelis are on the side that is always attacked and always suffer from Palestinian tactics when they try to defend themselves.

The interesting thing is that in war propaganda cartoons, the animations tell a subtle story about the message their creators want to convey. And this was no different!

After all, the animation shows a boy, who represents the Israeli government, who is constantly being teased by another boy, who refers to Palestine. In the story, the first boy tries to attack the second one, but ends up being unsuccessful, as the second one, who would be Palestine, is hiding behind the girls.

In this case, the drawing in question aims to explain Israel’s interests in the conflict and its creation is of Brazilian origin. The video is on the YouTube channel of Fisesp (Israeli Federation of the State of São Paulo). In its description, the caption is as follows: “Understanding the situation in the Middle East in an educational way.”

3. Facing the Fuehrer / Life of a Nazi (The Face of the Fuehrer)

With an anti-Nazi theme, the cartoon that tells the story of Donald Duck as a worker in an arms factory in Nutzi is without a doubt a controversial animation. The cartoon, made in 1943, even won an Oscar.

Interestingly, the satire shows Donald having a nightmare, where he works in a factory decorated with swastikas and begins to have a severe nervous breakdown due to the hard work in the production of weapons. Later, he wakes up relieved in his home in the United States.

4. Education for Death / Hitler’s Children (Education for Death)

In 1943, Disney devoted his efforts to supporting American anti-Nazi views in his creations. In addition to the Donald Duck animation, he invested in a short film that tells the story of a boy raised in the cult of Nazi ideology.

This context refers to the brainwashing that Nazi ideology often did, with its phrases and symbols. The drawing shows above all the authoritarianism imposed to control the lives of citizens from childhood.

5. Victory through air power

Also in 1943, Disney created another war propaganda cartoon, now focusing on the ongoing conflicts in Japan. The film Victory Through Air Power shows the bombings that attacked cities and factories in the country.

However, as a defender of his home country, Disney has not given up his desire to show American power. This becomes very clear when a giant eagle appears and fights an octopus, until it flies away and reaches a globe that would be the top of the American flag mast. Where then appears the inscription: “Victory for the Air Force”.

The 5 war propaganda cartoons first appeared on Olhar Digital.

Source: Olhar Digital

Rose

Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.