For both the Japanese and the Allies, mobilizing for the Pacific War meant more than simply recruiting soldiers and increasing the production of armaments. It also meant convincing one's own military personnel and civilian population that the war was worth fighting and that the enemy was worthy of being killed or forced into submission. This goal was largely achieved through patriotic appeals and the use of propaganda about the enemy; indeed, it was through such means that other humans became the enemy.

While a general characteristic of envisioning the enemy and justifying his demise through propaganda involved a shared demonization of the foe (Japanese or the Allies), the basis and resulting content of this demonization often differed between both sides. These differences potentially reveal--albeit in hyperbolic form--prevailing attitudes and values which the propagandist and his audience held about the war, one's self, and one's enemy. War propaganda can thus be a valuable document of cultural history.

John Dower's book, War Without Mercy: Race & Power in the Pacific War, explores through war propaganda and other materials the racial aspects of the war. In particular, it seeks to show how ideas of race among Japanese and the Allies motivated both sides to wage (righteous) war on the other. This is one facet of the Pacific War which is seldom earnestly talked about in Japan or America even though, as Dower demonstrates, race was a powerful motivator on both sides in their own particular ways.

Instructions: This module excerpts six of the images and descriptions of propaganda found in War Without Mercy, which you should be well into by now. With these six as a focus and the others in the book as further background and reference, ponder the questions found when you click on "Enemies" below. Follow the directions on the "Enemies" page to view the images, post your response(s) to them, and engage the responses of your colleagues. All responses will be posted in series for discussion.



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