WWII Propaganda Poster and Censored V-Mail
Collections in the Classroom
Grade Level
High, Middle
Time Period
1900-1950: Early 20th Century
Theme
WWII
Resource Type
Engagement Activity, Primary Source
Download Collections in the Classroom: WWII Propaganda Poster and Censored V-Mail (pdf)
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
- Why did the U. S. government censor letters during WWII?
- Is it okay to spy on your own citizens during war? Why or why not?
CONTEXT
Censorship of communication between members of the military and their families and friends back home was common in the beginning of the war. Officers would read the letters of enlisted men to make sure they were not giving away troop location or other important information that the enemy could use against the United States. “Loose lips sink ships” was a popular phrase used at the time as a reminder. The phrase even appeared on propaganda posters like the one above created by Seymour R. Goff in 1941.
