This self-contained lesson helps secondary students learn about the use of propaganda posters in World War II. Students will explore the historical context and key features of propaganda. They will analyse visual sources using primary source analysis. They can also create their own persuasive poster. Includes classroom activities throughout the text and gives options for students to consolidate their learning.
Teacher notes
Learning intentions
This resource requires students to analyse the key features of propaganda posters and how they were used during the Second World War.
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
- explain and summarise the purpose and key features of propaganda and how it was used in the Second World War
- analyse visual sources in order to understand the meaning within propaganda posters
- synthesise the information into a creative or critical response.
Lesson resources
- Propaganda posters during the Second World War lesson
Teaching ideas
This lesson, Propaganda posters during the Second War, can be used for learning in a variety of ways in class, at home or suitable for relief teacher lessons.
Whole-class activity
After reading the sections about what propaganda is and how it was used in the Second World War, students can apply the SAME scaffold for analysing visual sources as a whole class. Together they can view a poster source and then undertake their own analysis.
Group activity
Organise students into groups. Allocate each group a different poster to undertake source analysis. Groups present their analysis to the class.
Independent activity
Students read through each section and complete activities embedded throughout the resource.
Supporting resources
Supporting resources may be helpful for the teacher to use in conjunction with the resource.
- Where Australians served in the Second World War: a visual activity. Use this resource as an initial activity for students to examine primary source images of the different locations.
Australian Curriculum
Knowledge and understanding
- The effects of the Second World War, with a particular emphasis on the continuities and changes on the Australian home front, such as the changing roles of women and First Nations Australians, and the use of wartime government controls (AC9HH10K04).
Skills
- Locate, identify and compare primary and secondary sources to use in historical inquiry (AC9HH9S02).
- Identify the origin and content of sources, and explain the purpose and context of primary and secondary sources (AC9HH9S03).
- Explain the usefulness of primary and secondary sources, and the reliability of the information as evidence (AC9HH9S04).
- Compare perspectives in sources and explain how these are influenced by significant events, ideas, locations, beliefs and values (AC9HH9S06).
- Create descriptions, explanations and historical arguments, using historical knowledge, concepts and terms that incorporate and acknowledge evidence from sources (AC9HH9S08).
Teaching sensitivities
Teachers are advised to be sensitive to students' perspectives and emotions while using this resource. When working through the activities, teachers will need to consider their students' religious and cultural beliefs, any experiences of war or conflict, or parents serving in the defence forces. It is the responsibility of teachers to consider whether it is appropriate to use this resource with their students.
Copyright
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.