Government posters can be valuable sources for understanding and interpreting past events in history. This resource examines various Ministry of Information posters produced by the government during the Second World War.
Key Stages
This resource is suitable for students in Key Stages 2-5
Connections to Curriculum
Working with historical primary sources
Key stage 4:
- Edexcel GCSE History
- C 1900– present: Warfare and British society in the modern era
- Experience of war: The impact of war on civilians, including recruitment and the organisation of a Home Front during Second World Wars. Government use of censorship and propaganda in wartime.
- The historic environment: London and the Second World War, 1939–45
- C 1900– present: Warfare and British society in the modern era
- OCR GCSE History
- The First and Second World Wars: the beginnings of ‘total war’, including the impact on people’s lives, increased state power and the changing relationship between the state and the people.
Key stage 5:
- AQA GCE History
- The People’s War and Peace, 1939–1951
- The social and cultural impact of ‘total’ war: conscription; women and children; civil liberties and restrictions; propaganda; the Blitz.
- The People’s War and Peace, 1939–1951
Links and resources
Find more posters for the First World War and Second World War in the Imperial War Museum collections.
National Archives Home Front sources:
Poster entitled ‘Is your journey really necessary?’ Artist: Bert Thomas, 1942, Catalogue ref: AN 2/1126 f35