How did Hitler and the Nazi Party convince millions of people that the murder of Jews during the Holocaust was not only justifiable but correct? What can we learn from one of the most horrific times in history?
Can Posters Kill? uses rare, historical posters to take readers on a visual journey from medieval anti-Jewish artwork to the venomous Nazi propaganda of the Second World War. These posters show how powerful propaganda can be as a tool for spreading hate: how repetition, vivid imagery, and urgent messaging promote intense emotional reactions-fear, distrust, loyalty, revulsion-that can be used to create a coordinated campaign to impact the way we think. By understanding the visual language of propaganda from the past, we can learn to recognize and resist messages of hate-an essential skill in a digital world where information is spread in seconds.
A collection of WWII propaganda posters show how the Nazi party spread antisemitism and justified the murder of Jews in the Holocaust.
Propaganda: a dangerous weapon in the spread of hate
★ "Whether used as curriculum support for units on world history or language arts writing genres, in art classes, or to foster empathy in SEL sessions, the arresting artwork and insightful commentary are sure to inspire thoughtful reflection and generate considerable discussion."
"Faivish, a son of Holocaust survivors, and co-author Cole weave together an analysis of antisemitic propaganda posters and the history of World War II….The formal analysis of the images will help readers understand the ideologies the posters promoted, hone their visual literacy skills, and gain historical insights….A necessary overview that's rich in analysis and insight."
"Posters did not kill six million Jewish men, women, and children. But vicious antisemitic Nazi propaganda prepared the ground-poster by poster by poster. Helping young people critically reflect on persisting antisemitic stereotypes and simplistic messages is of the utmost importance in the world we live in today."
"The posters are staggering. The text that accompanies each piece of art is intriguing and informative. It's a book that needs to be read."
"A remarkable collection… This book is a good reminder of how propaganda works, and what needs to be done to ensure that campaigns of hate can be exposed before their consequences turn deadly."
Key Selling Points:
• The book is divided into three sections: Section 1: Pre–World War II Posters: 1933–1939; Section 2: World War II Posters: 1939–1945; Section 3: Post–World War II Posters: 1945. It includes an Afterword from the author, Selected Timeline of the rise of the Nazi party and WWII, and a helpful Glossary of terms.
• The book features a powerful, curated collection of hate propaganda, an overview of antisemitism, and the essential role posters and cartoons played during the Holocaust. Will appeal to teenagers fluent in the language of visual media, opening up a conversation about propaganda and how effective it can be in the spread of hate.
• For over 40 years, author Jerry Faivish has collected 10,000 posters and cartoons from all over the world focusing on Jewish history and culture, with a large section focusing on antisemitic hate and propaganda from the start of the twentieth century through the years of the Holocaust.
• A retired lawyer, Jerry Faivish has lectured in Canada and internationally on the subject of antisemitic propaganda, and he has been asked by museums and universities, including Harvard, to house and archive his collection of posters. Co-author Kathryn Cole has been writing and editing books for young readers for over forty years.
Preface
Introduction
Section 1: Pre–World War II Posters
Section 2: World War II Posters: 1939–1945
Section 3: Post–World War II Posters: 1945
Conclusion
Afterword
Selected Timeline
Glossary
Acknowledgments
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