Office of War Information
President Franklin D. Roosevelt created the OWI on June 13, 1942 by Executive Order 9182. At the beginning of World War II, the American public didn't know much when it came to information about the war. Many Americans believed they were not receiving enough information about what was going on over seas. Further, the American public did not understand why the world was at war, and held great resentment against other Allied Nations. President Roosevelt established the OWI to both meet the demands for news and less confusion, as well as end American hatred towards the war.
OWI Seal
One of the many wartime propaganda posters the OWI created. This one is promoting rationing so troops can have the supplies they need.
Another poster created by the OWI to inspire people to want to go to war.
The OWI was a government agency created during World War 2 to handle government information and deliver propaganda in both the US and across the world. OWI operated from June 1942 until September 1945. They delivered the propaganda through radio broadcasts, newspapers, posters, photographs, films and other forms of media and was seen as the connection between the battlefront and civilian communities used to educate the people. The office also established several overseas branches.
Capture of Tarawa from Japan 1943 US Office of War Information; United News Newsreel
The OWI also created the Voice of America which is still the official government broadcasting service of the US. The films they created were made to depict the Allied armed forces as valiant "Freedom fighters", and advocate civilian participation, such as conserving fuel or donating food to troops. The Office of War Information created propaganda such as Hasten the Day, Chaplain Jim, and Uncle Sam. The OWI performed a very important job throughout World War 2 and inspired many people to become more involved in the war which was definitely a huge help in the fight overseas.