"It is a matter of honor." Recruitment poster for Den Norske Legion.

This poster may be an example of some of the worst art I've ever seen in a propaganda poster.

"Kjemp for Norge."

"With Waffen-SS and The Norwegian legion against the mutual enemy: AGAINST COMMUNISM."

"Obey."

Link.

"Train our revolutionary offspring !! for Peace now War is ended!! practice your Scriabin!!"

Link.

"Homage to the International Brigades."

CNT (Syndicalist labor union) propaganda poster.

"Itu?"

UGT (Socialist Labor Union) propaganda poster.

Link.

"Run."

Modern dance?

"Crush A Creche!"

Only if I get to do it in jackboots.

Shanghai Propaganda Poster Art Center.

Link.

Rosie.

Fallujah April 2004.

Unlike the historical poster art propaganda typically presented on this site, current propaganda tends to default toward photographic or video modes. In war, such images as the one above may be used to justify even greater atrocities than those featured. The next atrocity then justifies even more destruction. Hence, like fire when fanned, violence escalates. The result lead to worse.

Fallujah December 2004

At least, a few Kenyan Warriors have chosen differently.

It isn't quite de-escalation in the ideal sense, but it beats living in hell.

"Frauen!"

More Nazi tripe.

You're gonna play tennis with a flying head?

Another boring example of Nazi propaganda. Why did they bother?
Compare this to Republican Civil War Soviet Propaganda, and you'll see (beyond the cause) that it was artistically trite:



Then there is Soviet Propaganda, such as this favorite:
And

Even Mussolini did better:

Although it can be over done.

No wonder everyone kicked him in the head.

Top 5 Ranking

In order, and in my opinion, my top 5 rankings for historical (20th Century) propaganda posters is as follows:

1. Spanish Civil War. (Many famous and talented artists produced works for the Republican effort. It really raised the bar in terms of quality.)
2. Soviet Union. The only game in town (at least until the 1980s) for talented artists was the state. It was that or work in a factory, or be shot, or starve etc.
3. Chinese Communist. Same as for Soviet Union above.
4. (Tie) US and UK propaganda during both world wars. These countries had the resources and artists that had to compete.

6. "Honorable" Mention (so to speak): North Korean. Same as #2 & 3 above.

No matter where other efforts would be ranked, the Nazis are dead last. An example is as follows:

"Young Men, Serve the Fuhrer."

Not to beat a dead horse, but the Nazi's propaganda poster art (their efforts were spent on pageantry and tailoring their uniforms) is almost always second rate. This is one of the better from an "artistic" point of view. Perhaps failed artists did not like anyone more talented? The sample above cannot have been very "inspirational." Master race indeed. (Of course, what else could one expect from a ideology that managed to unite capitalists and communists as allies?)

"This is the enemy."

Tasmanian Devil.

Link.

Mao (x3).

Go team!

The New China.

And that ain't no April Foolin'.

Link.