Rosie the Reviter

Rosie The Riveter

By: Magen Scarpone

Visual Culture

Professor Collins

December 3, 2012

Propaganda is ideas, facts, or allegations spread deliberately to further one's cause or to damage an opposing cause. When it comes to war, everyone seems to be an expert on what side is right or wrong. In recent history more and more Americans have been showing their discontent for the country’s involvement in wars in forms of protest and other antiwar movements. The Vietnam Conflict lost the most support from the American public as the war dragged on, possibly due to the media’s portrayal of events. It even had Vietnam Veteran’s opposing the war and joining the protests. However, not all war propaganda is negative, arguable the most effective war propaganda was “Rosie the Riveter” from the World War II (WWII) era.

During World War II, the soldiers wanted assurance that the families they were leaving behind would be okay. The propaganda that was being produced during this time was not in support of the men on the front lines, but rather to show the strength of the women that were left behind. “Rosie the Riveter” was this iconic sign that helped to get women involved in the work force during WWII.

In 1939 WWII was under way as the second major war. This war tested the strength of both the soldiers that were behind enemy lines and the families that were left behind to keep the economy going. The aftermath of the depression was still fresh in the minds of many citizens, and the war effort helped many people get jobs and provide for their families again. With the majority of men going off to war, women were left to be the breadwinners for their family. Those who were not already in the workforce, joined and did everything from traditional jobs (clerical and administrative assistants) to working in factories producing weapons and machinery for the war. These women were also expected to keep up with their everday tasks around the home.

Rosie the Riveter’s slogan,...