The Sowers
by Thomas Hart Benton, 1942
NARA Still Picture Branch (NWDNS-44-PA-1966)

Artist Thomas Hart Benton believed that it was the artist's role either to fight or to "bring the bloody actual realities of this war home to the American people." In a series of eight paintings, Benton portrayed the violence and barbarity of fascism. "The Sowers" shows the enemy as bulky, brutish monsters tossing human skulls onto the ground.

We Can Do It!
by J. Howard Miller
Produced by Westinghouse for the War Production Co-Ordinating Committee

Of all the images of working women during World War II, the image of women in factories predominates. Rosie the Riveter--the strong, competent woman dressed in overalls and bandanna--was introduced as a symbol of patriotic womanhood. The accoutrements of war work--uniforms, tools, and lunch pails--were incorporated into the revised image of the feminine ideal.

United We Win
Photograph by Alexander Liberman, 1943
Printed by the Government Printing Office for the
War Manpower Commission

The Government was well aware of the demoralizing effects of racial prejudice on the African American population. In its publicity campaigns, the Government presented an idealized view of race relations in America. Racial tensions disappeared in portrayals of black Americans as full and equal participants in American society. The images of racial harmony belied the profound feelings of unrest that, on occasion, erupted into episodes of racial violence during the war years. .

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