Yes, in Roosevelt-America there is freedom of expression ..! Word of the Week German poster accusing the United States of unfairly censuring figures critical of Jews

Identifier
irn3761
Language of Description
English
Alt. Identifiers
  • 1990.333.49
Level of Description
Item
Languages
  • German
Source
EHRI Partner

Extent and Medium

overall: Height: 33.500 inches (85.09 cm) | Width: 47.500 inches (120.65 cm)

Creator(s)

Archival History

The poster was acquired by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 1990.

Acquisition

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection

Funding Note: The cataloging of this artifact has been supported by a grant from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.

Scope and Content

German propaganda poster issued in 1939, from the Parole der Woche (Word of the Week) series. The poster references America’s Freedom of Speech and accuses the United States of censuring voices critical of Jews. As proof, the poster claims that Father Charles Coughlin, an extremist, antisemitic radio personality during the 1930s was unfairly censured for his broadcasts attacking Jews. The text then compares father Coughlin to George Mundelein, the Archbishop of Chicago, and a critic of Adolf Hitler and the Nazis, saying that he is allowed to speak because he is subservient to the Jews. The poster also falsely implies that US President Franklin Roosevelt is being influenced by Jews. In reality, Coughlin was ordered off the air by his superiors within the church, and was being investigated for denouncing America’s entry into World War II following the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941. The Nazis used propaganda to buttress public support for the war effort, shape public opinion, and reinforce antisemitic ideas. As part of their propaganda campaign, the Nazis created the Word of the Week Series of posters (also referred to as Wandzeitung, or wall newspapers), which began distribution on March 16, 1936. Each week, new posters were placed in public places and businesses to be viewed by as many people as possible. Posters were the primary medium for the series, but smaller pamphlets which could be plastered on the back of correspondence, were also produced. The posters targeted the Nazis’ early political adversaries, Jews, Communists, and Germany’s enemies during the war. The series was discontinued in 1943.

Conditions Governing Access

No restrictions on access

Conditions Governing Reproduction

No restrictions on use

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Text only poster printed on off-white paper, and adhered to a white, linen backing. The poster has a black background and a title printed across the top in two lines of large, red text. Below, are two columns of multi-colored text blocks separated by a faint, vertical, red line. The left column has two paragraphs of small, white text in a Fraktur font, printed side by side at the top. The center has a red, cloud-like background with larger black text within. The bottom has a paragraph of larger white Fraktur text. The right column has two paragraphs of white Fraktur text. The top paragraph is split into two sections by three lines of large, white Fraktur print and the bottom of the column has three lines of red text. In the lower right is a circular logo composed of small, white text encircling three letters. The poster is creased where it was previously folded, and has pin holes along the margins. There are tears and losses along the right edge, and a large tear halfway down the right left side.

People

Corporate Bodies

Subjects

Genre

This description is derived directly from structured data provided to EHRI by a partner institution. This collection holding institution considers this description as an accurate reflection of the archival holdings to which it refers at the moment of data transfer.