INF 13/144 – ‘Make Do and Mend’ poster, 1939-1945
The government needed everyone in the Second World War to support and take part in the war effort. This included the people back at home as well as the soldiers who were away fighting. People who stayed in Britain and carried on working, along with children who carried on going to school and everyone else who went about their daily lives, were described as people on the ‘Home Front’. The government had many ways of persuading people on the Home Front to support the war. Methods included films, leaflets and posters. Posters were displayed in public places and were one way keeping people’s spirits up and encouraging them to behave in a certain way. Below are a selection of some of these posters, designed to urge people to reduce their waste and to repair their own clothes. Reusing and recycling is more important than ever today as we consume more and more of the planet’s resources.
Questions for documents:
What methods do the posters use to persuade people? For example, think about the colours, lettering or slogans
Can you spot any similarities between the posters?
Do you think the posters are effective at persuading people? Why or why not?
Now think about your top 3 most persuasive techniques used in the posters….
Have a conversation with a family member or friend about recycling in your home. How do you do it, and what materials/items do you reuse?
Big Draw activity
Using the SWW posters as inspiration, make your own persuasive poster to encourage people to take up one aspect of recycling either at home or in school. For example, your poster could be on the topic of single-use plastics or ‘fast fashion’.
Think about how your message could encourage your friends or family – can you use any persuasive words or phrases that will appeal to them? Will you use writing, or more pictures instead?