When I was to decide for a topic to be dealt with in my ‘Facharbeit’, the decision was clear: Including my interest in the history and pop culture of the United States of America, Disney’s World War 2 cartoons offer a great potential to be researched intensively as one can find a lot of background knowledge, regarding the history of the Disney studios and the general historical context. Also, there is a broad mass of cartoons to be analyzed and looked at closely. Questioning the justification for family cartoons to be used as propaganda material, I further have a firm opinion. However, in order not to go beyond the scope, I must, unfortunately, leave out several relevant and interesting aspects to the topic and do not make any claims for completeness.
In the following, I would like to elucidate my approach towards the issue: To begin with, I focus on general, historical facts about the US-American World War 2 propaganda and Disney’s contribution to the war effort, giving basic background information, in order to understand and interpret two war-time cartoons which perfectly exemplify the convincing way most propaganda cartoons worked and appealed to the citizens. Being two of the most popular shorts during World War 2 (one of them even honored with an Oscar) and rather focusing on entertainment, instead of war instructions, both Der Fuehrer’s Face and Reason and Emotion are great fun to watch and very suitable for a detailed interpretation. Eventually, I comment on the general justification of those cartoons and sum up my results.

Excerpt

1. My fascination for historical Disney cartoons
2. US-American World War 2 propaganda
- 2.1. General definition of the term 'propaganda'
- 2.2. Common forms of US-American war-time propaganda, (governmental) propagandists, and their overall messages and goals
3. Disney's contribution to the war effort
- 3.1. The studios during wartime
- 3.2. Walt Disney's propaganda ideas
4. Cartoon analysis
- 4.1. Der Fuehrer's Face (1943)
  - 4.1.1. Content
  - 4.1.2. Shots, stylistic devices/figures, tone, and the effect on the viewer
  - 4.1.3. Historical background, events, personalities, and figures
- 4.2. Reason and Emotion (1943)
  - 4.2.1. Content
  - 4.2.2. Shots stylistic devices/figures, tone, and the effect on the viewer
  - 4.2.3. Historical background, events, personalities, and figures
6. Was it justified to “misuse” family cartoons as propaganda material?
7. Recapping the results

Objectives and Key Themes

This paper aims to examine Disney's contribution to US World War II propaganda, specifically analyzing how their cartoons influenced public opinion. The research will explore the historical context of wartime propaganda, Disney's role in it, and the effectiveness of their approach in shaping public perception of the war. The analysis will focus on two specific cartoons, "Der Fuehrer's Face" and "Reason and Emotion," as case studies.

The nature and impact of US World War II propaganda
Disney's role in the war effort through propaganda cartoons
Analysis of the stylistic techniques used in Disney's propaganda cartoons
The effectiveness of animation as a propaganda tool
The ethical implications of using family-oriented cartoons for propaganda purposes

Chapter Summaries

1. My fascination for historical Disney cartoons: This introductory chapter establishes the author's personal connection to Disney cartoons and their surprise at discovering Disney's involvement in World War II propaganda. It explains the author's motivation for undertaking this research, highlighting their interest in US history and pop culture, and outlining the scope of the paper. The chapter emphasizes the abundance of source material available for analysis and briefly states the author's pre-existing opinion on the justification of using family-friendly cartoons as propaganda, while acknowledging limitations in the scope of the research.

2. US-American World War 2 propaganda: This chapter defines propaganda and explores its various forms during World War II in the United States. It details the role of the Office of War Information (OWI) and other governmental agencies in coordinating propaganda efforts. The chapter contrasts white and black propaganda strategies and examines common techniques used, such as simplification, repetition, and emotional appeals. The chapter also includes a personal anecdote from a Kansas resident about their experience with wartime propaganda and the differing impact on different groups of the population.

3. Disney's contribution to the war effort: This chapter focuses on Disney's role in producing propaganda during World War II, describing the studio's wartime operations and Walt Disney's involvement in creating propaganda cartoons. It sets the stage for the detailed analysis of specific cartoons in the following chapters by providing crucial context on Disney's motivations and the overall strategic goals behind their involvement in the war effort.

4. Cartoon analysis: This chapter delves into a detailed analysis of "Der Fuehrer's Face" and "Reason and Emotion," two Disney cartoons created during World War II. For each cartoon, the chapter examines the content, stylistic devices, historical context, and the intended impact on the viewer. It explores how cinematic techniques were employed to effectively convey messages and influence public opinion. Each cartoon’s analysis thoroughly examines the historical context, significant figures, and events referenced, providing a multifaceted interpretation of the animation’s propagandist influence.

6. Was it justified to “misuse” family cartoons as propaganda material?: This chapter will likely discuss the ethical considerations and justifications behind the use of Disney cartoons as a propaganda tool. It will likely weigh the potential benefits of influencing public opinion during wartime against the potential drawbacks of exploiting the trust inherent in family entertainment. The chapter will probably delve into the complexities of wartime moral dilemmas and examine different perspectives on the subject.

Keywords

World War II, US Propaganda, Disney, Animation, Cartoon Analysis, "Der Fuehrer's Face," "Reason and Emotion," Propaganda Techniques, Wartime Media, Public Opinion, Ethical Considerations

FAQ: Analysis of Disney's Contribution to US World War II Propaganda

What is the main topic of this paper?

This paper analyzes Disney's contribution to US World War II propaganda, focusing on how their cartoons influenced public opinion. It examines the historical context of wartime propaganda, Disney's role, and the effectiveness of their animation techniques in shaping public perception of the war.

Which Disney cartoons are analyzed in detail?

The paper focuses on two specific Disney cartoons as case studies: "Der Fuehrer's Face" (1943) and "Reason and Emotion" (1943).

What aspects of the cartoons are analyzed?

The analysis includes a thorough examination of the content, stylistic devices (shots, figures of speech), tone, and intended effect on the viewer for each cartoon. The historical background, events, personalities, and figures referenced in the cartoons are also explored.

What is the historical context discussed in the paper?

The paper discusses the historical context of US World War II propaganda, including the role of the Office of War Information (OWI) and other governmental agencies. It explores different forms of propaganda, common techniques (simplification, repetition, emotional appeals), and the contrasting strategies of white and black propaganda. A personal anecdote about wartime propaganda experiences is also included.

What is the scope of the paper regarding Disney's involvement?

The paper examines Disney's wartime operations, Walt Disney's involvement in creating propaganda cartoons, and the studio's motivations and strategic goals behind their contribution to the war effort.

What ethical considerations are addressed?

The paper addresses the ethical implications of using family-oriented cartoons for propaganda purposes, weighing the potential benefits of influencing public opinion against the potential drawbacks of exploiting trust in family entertainment. It explores the complexities of wartime moral dilemmas and different perspectives on the subject.

What are the key themes explored in the paper?

Key themes include the nature and impact of US World War II propaganda, Disney's role in the war effort through propaganda cartoons, the analysis of stylistic techniques used in Disney's propaganda cartoons, the effectiveness of animation as a propaganda tool, and the ethical implications of using family-oriented cartoons for propaganda purposes.

What is the overall objective of the paper?

The paper aims to examine Disney's contribution to US World War II propaganda and analyze how their cartoons influenced public opinion. It seeks to understand the historical context, Disney's role, and the effectiveness of their approach in shaping public perception of the war.

What are the keywords associated with this paper?