Guide to the War Propaganda Collection, 1861-1991

Processed by Diana Bustamante; machine-readable finding aid created by James Lake
Sanoian Special Collections Library
California State University, Fresno
5200 North Barton Avenue M/S ML 34
Fresno, California 93740-8014
Phone: (559) 278-2595
Fax: (559) 278-6952
Email: specialc@listserv.csufresno.edu
URL: http://www.lib.csufresno.edu/SubjectResources/SpecialCollections
© 1998
California State University, Fresno. All rights reserved.

Guide to the War Propaganda Collection, 1861-1991

Sanoian Special Collections Library



Henry Madden Library

Fresno, California

Contact Information:

  • Sanoian Special Collections Library
  • California State University, Fresno
  • 5200 North Barton Avenue M/S ML 34
  • Fresno, California 93740-8014
  • Phone: (559) 278-2595
  • Fax: (559) 278-6952
  • Email: specialc@listserv.csufresno.edu
  • URL: http://www.lib.csufresno.edu/SubjectResources/SpecialCollections
Processed by:
Diana Bustamante
Date Completed:
1997
Encoded by:
James Lake
© 1998 California State University, Fresno. All rights reserved.

Descriptive Summary

Title: War Propaganda Collection,
Date (inclusive): 1861-1991
Extent: 6.75 linear feet (48 frames)
Repository: Henry Madden Library (California State University, Fresno).

Sanoian Special Collections Library.
Fresno, California
Language: English.

Administrative Information

Acquisition

The collection was donated by W.G. "Bill" Harrison.

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], War Propaganda Collection, Sanoian Special Collections Library, California State University, Fresno.

Background Information

The War Propaganda Collection contains framed propaganda material from certain wars in which the United States was a part. The material was collected and framed over a number of years by W. G. "Bill" Harrison of Fresno, California, who took a particular interest in such items.

Scope and Content

The War Propaganda Collection measures 6.75 linear feet and dates from 1861 to 1991. The collection is arranged in five series: Civil War, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam, Desert Storm and although a majority of the material is from World War II. The material is framed and includes captions explaining the origin and purpose of the artifact, with some exceptions.
The Civil War series (1861-1865) contains two items, a .69 caliber musket ball and a four segment display of a minie ball. According to the caption encased with the .69 caliber musket ball, it was used in the Wilderness Campaign in May of 1864.
The minie ball caused severe damage when it hit its target. Most men died as a result of the injuries the minie ball inflicted. It was reported to make a "hole the size of man's thumb, but the exit wound was the size of a man's fist," (Box 1, Civil War, four segment display of minie ball caption).
The World War II series (1939-1945) contains food ration tokens that were used in the United States. The tokens were color coded according to the material that could be bought with them. Red tokens were used to purchase meat while blue tokens were for all processed foods. Materials such as clothing, shoes, gas and tires were also rationed.
Prisoners of War (POW) items from the Korean War series (1950-1953) state that the Chinese People's Forces battle is not with American Soldiers but rather with MacArthur, who on the flyer, is referred to as a common enemy.
The Vietnam psychological warfare leaflets contain propaganda from the Allied forces as well as anti-American leaflets distributed by the Viet Kong. The series (1961-1975) offers insight into the strategies used by the opposing forces.
The Desert Storm series (1991) contains eight framed psychological warfare leaflets distributed by the United Nations. The material tries to discredit Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's war strategies and motives. One leaflet reads, "If Saddam puts civilians on military sites to die, it shows he is ready to sacrifice all of you, the holy place, and the history of Iraq for his own survival," (Box 7, Psychological warfare leaflets, Desert Storm campaign).

 

Civil War

Box Box 1

.69 caliber musket ball

 

Four segment display of minie ball

 

World War II

Box Box 2

Currency

 

Allied Military Currency (AMC) [shelved in box 3]

 

Berlin Blockade

 

Origin of AMC

 

Emergency

 

Republic of the Philippines

 

Cagayan Province

 

Guerilla armies

 

Victory Series (Leyle Island)

 

Germany [shelved in box 3]

Box Box 3

Invasion/Occupation

 

Japanese Imperial Army

 

Mainland China

 

China

 

Philippines

 

Five types of invasion money

 

Information on Currency, 1973 and undated

Box Box 4

Leaflets

 

Propaganda/surrender

 

Allied forces to German forces [oversize: in box 9]

 

Psychological warfare

 

American anti-Japanese

 

Aleutian/Alaska Campaign

 

Prisoners of War (POW) notices

 

Japanese POW camp [oversize: in box 9]

 

German POW bulletin

 

Miscellaneous material

 

Japan

 

Co-prosperity sphere

 

Army field medical tag

 

Warning notice

Box Box 5

U.S.

 

Newspaper clippings, 1942 (2 frames)

 

Five-Star generals and admirals insignia

 

Civilian Exclusion Act No. 41 notice, 1942

 

Japanese internment instructions, 1942

Box Box 6

U.S. rations

 

Stamps

 

Food

 

Gas

 

Tokens (complete set of 54) [oversize: in box 9]

 

Korean War

Box Box 7

Guide to Prisoners of War [shelved in box 4]

 

Psychological warfare leaflet [shelved in box 4]

 

Vietnam

Box Box 7

Psychological warfare leaflets

 

Allied forces (3 frames)

 

Anti-American (5 frames)

 

Desert Storm

Box Box 8

United Nations psychological warfare leaflets (8 frames)

 

World War II

oversize-box Box 9 - Oversize

Leaflets

 

Propaganda/surrender

 

Allied forces to German forces

 

Prisoners of War (POW) notices

 

Japanese POW camp

 

U.S. rations

 

Tokens