WW2 and Music
Rachel Wade
How did the music of WW2 affect people's views of the war?
The music of WW2 greatly impacted the views of the American people because it was patriotic and acted as a form of propaganda in support of the war effort. This is shown in the music and how the music shifted from anti-war and pro-isolationism before the bombing of Pearl Harbor to pro-intervention and supportive of U.S. involvement in the war after that tragedy occured. The music did this by motivating men to join the military, encouraging people to buy war bonds to support the soldiers, work in factories to make weapons of war, and to accept the rationing of their food so that more could be sent to the soldiers overseas. The wartime musical propaganda made American people believe that the US had to defend themselves and stop the spread of the evil Axis powers which threatened their everyday ways of life as well as freedom and democracy around the world. However, beyond the propaganda of the WW2 music it also reflected the feelings of the American people so they could really see their strengths reflected back to themselves. The music reflected the public's views and sentiments of the war as much of it focused on the young soldiers and their experiences, their hopeful return home at the end of the war, and the nostalgia for life before the war started. The music also showed that while the American people supported the war effort they were eager for it to end so that they could return home. In this way the music of WW2 both reflected and reinforced the view America’s involvement in the conflict was necessary.
Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy by The Andrews Sisters
Lyrics for Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy are below.
Buy Buy Bonds by Bing Crosby
Citations
https://edsitement.neh.gov/lesson-plan/jazz-and-world-war-ii-rally-resistance-catalyst-victory
https://uncw.edu/csurf/Explorations/documents/TomlinsonAmericasChangingMirror.pdf
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/us-home-front-during-world-war-ii
https://www.gilderlehrman.org/content/american-music-goes-war