--- title: 'Anti-war posters: peace and protest posters, 1914 to 1983' url: https://propagandaarchive.org/anti-war-posters/ description: 'Anti-war and peace posters from 1914 to 1983: party stickers, Vietnam-era protest, Cold War state peace campaigns, tested the same way for each side.' section: FRAME --- ![Illustration: a dossier collage of an evidence wall of pinned propaganda posters, leaflets and printed matter from many eras, with contact sheets and catalog labels.](https://propagandaarchive.org/static/generated/hero-collection.jpg) Collection # Anti-war posters: peace and protest posters, 1914 to 1983 Anti-war and peace posters from 1914 to 1983: party stickers, Vietnam-era protest, Cold War state peace campaigns, tested the same way for each side. 1. [Home](https://propagandaarchive.org/) 2. [Collection](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/) 3. Anti-war posters [!["Ned med militarismen - Leve socialismen" propaganda stamp (Norway, 1914)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/norway-down-with-militarism-stamp-1914.jpg)"Ned med militarismen - Leve socialismen" propaganda stamp (Norway, 1914)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/norway-down-with-militarism-stamp-1914/) [!["Femmes ! ... exigez la paix immédiate au Maroc" (PCF sticker, Rif war, 1925)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/pcf-papillon-femmes-paix-immediate-maroc-1925-640.jpg)"Femmes ! ... exigez la paix immédiate au Maroc" (PCF sticker, Rif war, 1925)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/pcf-papillon-femmes-paix-immediate-maroc-1925/) [![Atoms for Peace poster, page 1: Eisenhower pledge (English-text poster, distribution post not stated)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/atoms-for-peace-poster-page-1-eisenhower-pledge-1956-640.jpg)Atoms for Peace poster, page 1: Eisenhower pledge (English-text poster, distribution post not stated)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/atoms-for-peace-poster-page-1-eisenhower-pledge-1956/) [![Moratorium candle march to the White House (15 October 1969)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/moratorium-peace-now-candle-march-1969-640.jpg)Moratorium candle march to the White House (15 October 1969)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/moratorium-peace-now-candle-march-1969/) [![The Vietnam War, December 31, 1971: may it rest in peace](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/unsell-the-war-vietnam-war-tombstone-1971-640.jpg)The Vietnam War, December 31, 1971: may it rest in peace](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/unsell-the-war-vietnam-war-tombstone-1971/) [!["Keine neuen US-Raketen in Westeuropa!": peace manifestation, Halle](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/gdr-halle-peace-manifestation-banners-1983-640.jpg)"Keine neuen US-Raketen in Westeuropa!": peace manifestation, Halle](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/gdr-halle-peace-manifestation-banners-1983/) > **Content note.** One 1971 US antiwar sheet pictures a skull in an army helmet, and a 1983 East German placard draws a missile as a fanged monster. They are shown as issued; showing an item is not endorsing it. [What are anti-war posters?](https://propagandaarchive.org/anti-war-posters/#what-are-anti-war-posters) [Before 1945](https://propagandaarchive.org/anti-war-posters/#before-1945-parties-and-leagues) [Vietnam War era](https://propagandaarchive.org/anti-war-posters/#vietnam-war-era-civilian-committees-and-the-state) [Cold War](https://propagandaarchive.org/anti-war-posters/#cold-war-states-that-speak-of-peace) [What the collection does not hold](https://propagandaarchive.org/anti-war-posters/#what-the-collection-does-not-hold) ## What are anti-war posters? Anti-war posters are posters, banners, stickers and placards that argue against a war, a weapon or a draft, or ask for peace. The collection holds them from 1914 to 1983 and tests each the same way: who made it, who paid, what it asks, and which technique carries it. Peace is a theme used by protest groups, parties and governments alike, so the issuer, not the word "peace", decides how an item is described. ![Red stamp-format label with a broken rifle in an oval, Norway, 1914](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/norway-down-with-militarism-stamp-1914.jpg) ## Before 1945: parties and leagues The Norwegian Social Democratic Youth League issued a red adhesive label in March 1914 with a broken rifle and the slogans "Down with militarism" and "Long live socialism". It uses unqualified virtue and vice words ([Glittering generalities](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/glittering-generalities/)), and the stamp format lets it travel on ordinary letters. ![Green gummed sticker, French Communist Party, 1925](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/pcf-papillon-femmes-paix-immediate-maroc-1925.jpg) ![Japanese-language leaflet with cherry blossoms and a kimono-clad woman, 1943](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/lets-go-cherry-blossom-viewing-jpal-leaflet-1943.jpg) Explain moreShow less In 1925 the French Communist Party's central action committee printed a sticker addressed to women: the 1914-1918 war killed the fathers, the war in Morocco kills the sons, so demand immediate peace. It projects a past loss onto the reader's family ([Fear appeal](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/fear-appeal/)) and offers the party as the vehicle. A 1943 leaflet from a branch of the Anti-War League of the Japanese People in China, aimed at Japanese soldiers, ties the spring blossom ritual to a request to stop fighting and go home ([Transfer](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/transfer/)). ![Marchers at the Lincoln Memorial with PEACE banner and LBJ WAR sign, 1967](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/march-on-pentagon-lincoln-memorial-1967.jpg) ## Vietnam War era: civilian committees and the state The 1967 March on the Pentagon, organised by the National Mobilization Committee, carried a "PEACE" banner beside a sign printing the president's initials next to the word war ([Name-calling](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/name-calling/)). The 1969 Moratorium candle march borrowed the vigil ([Transfer](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/transfer/)), and Women Strike for Peace in 1970 stated peace as an aim and, on a second sign, a date for withdrawal ([Glittering generalities](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/glittering-generalities/)). ![US soldiers walking under a quoted refusal, United States Servicemen's Fund, 1970](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/ussf-my-men-refuse-to-go-son-chan-valley-1970.jpg) ![Poster repeating OUT NOW four times, National Peace Action Coalition, 1972](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/npac-out-now-stop-the-bombing-1972.jpg) ![Young Americans for Freedom poster, a dove stabbed by a hammer and sickle, 1969](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/yaf-dove-hammer-and-sickle-1969.jpg) Explain moreShow less The United States Servicemen's Fund quoted an unnamed lieutenant, "my men refuse to go", over a photograph of a whole unit ([Bandwagon](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/bandwagon/)). The Committee to Help Unsell the War used a skull and a tick-box congressional form ([Fear appeal](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/fear-appeal/)) and a gravestone for the war ([Transfer](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/transfer/)). The National Peace Action Coalition's 1972 poster repeats "OUT NOW!" and names two cities and one date ([Bandwagon](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/bandwagon/)). More on these is on the [Vietnam War protest posters page](https://propagandaarchive.org/vietnam-war-propaganda/us-antiwar-posters/). The opposing view is in the record too: Young Americans for Freedom put a hammer and sickle in the back of a peace dove ([Transfer](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/transfer/)), asserting a link between calls for peace and Communist aims. ![US State Department photo sheet, Allies for World Peace, 1952](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/allies-for-world-peace-1952.jpg) ## Cold War: states that speak of peace The US State Department's 1952 Asian poster series sheet "Allies for World Peace" shows allied soldiers drilling at Fort Benning and ties "peace" to the arms being taught ([Bandwagon](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/bandwagon/)). The 1956 "Atoms for Peace" series quotes Eisenhower ([Testimonial](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/testimonial/)). ![East Berlin billboard at the Friedrichstrasse crossing, 1961](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/gdr-friedensvertrag-billboard-friedrichstrasse-1961.jpg) ![Halle peace manifestation banners, 1983](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/gdr-halle-peace-manifestation-banners-1983.jpg) **Content note:** Photograph of a young child holding a placard that shows a missile drawn as a fanged monster. This object is shown as it was published. [Why](https://propagandaarchive.org/about/#as-it-was) ![Suhl youth placard with fanged missile, 1983](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/gdr-suhl-youth-peace-manifestation-stop-sign-1983.jpg) ![Dutch banner Na atoomreagan geen zonneschijn, The Hague, 1982](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/na-atoomreagan-banner-1982.jpg) ![Daisy ad frame, Johnson campaign, 1964](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/daisy-ad-1964.jpg) Explain moreShow less The East German government's 1961 billboard pairs "peace and understanding" with a claim that a peace treaty would restrain West German militarism ([Scapegoating](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/scapegoating/)). In 1983 state-organised manifestations in Halle and Suhl named only American and NATO missiles, in one case drawn as a fanged monster. Both are tagged [Fear appeal](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/fear-appeal/). See also the [East German propaganda page](https://propagandaarchive.org/east-german-propaganda/). In the Netherlands in April 1982 marchers against nuclear weapons coined "atom-Reagan" ([Name-calling](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/name-calling/)) and carried a banner, "NATO soldiers against nuclear weapons", whose weight rests on who is speaking ([Testimonial](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/testimonial/)). Not a protest item, the 1964 Johnson campaign "Daisy" ad uses a nuclear countdown to argue for a vote ([Fear appeal](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/fear-appeal/)). ## What the collection does not hold - **Not here:** WWI pacifist and conscientious-objector posters, WWII American isolationist posters, and British and other Western nuclear-disarmament posters of the 1950s and 1960s are not yet in the collection. - No items from inside the Soviet Union or China arguing against their own governments' wars in the Vietnam War era are held. - Photographs of marches show signs, not the committees' printed posters in most cases. Sources and further reading ## Sources Each item carries its own source and rights note in the grid. Each item carries its own source and rights note in the grid. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (US News & World Report collection); US National Archives (USIA posters); Wikimedia Commons (Anefo, ADN-Zentralbild); Norwegian and French party material as cited per entry. ## Anti-war and peace items in the collection Showing 28 of 28 objects. [Filter the whole collection](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/). - ["Ned med militarismen - Leve socialismen" propaganda stamp (Norway, 1914)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/norway-down-with-militarism-stamp-1914/) (Norway · Mar 1914 · Glittering generalities) - [La paix de l'ennemi (Peace on the Enemy's Terms)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/la-paix-de-lennemi-prouve-1918/) (France · 1918 · Fear appeal, Card stacking) - [A Merry Christmas. Peace. Your Gift to the Nation](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/merry-christmas-peace-your-gift-to-the-nation-1918/) (United States · 1918 · Transfer, Glittering generalities) - [Parlano di pace e nascondono il pugnale! (They Talk of Peace and Hide the Dagger!)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/parlano-di-pace-nascondono-il-pugnale-borilli-1918/) (Kingdom of Italy · 1918 · Name-calling, Glittering generalities) - [Կռիվ պալատներին!! Խաղաղություն խրծիթներին (War to the Palaces! Peace to the Huts): Armenian-language Soviet poster](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/lenin-war-to-palaces-armenian-1924/) (Soviet Union · 1924 · Transfer) - ["Femmes ! ... exigez la paix immédiate au Maroc" (PCF sticker, Rif war, 1925)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/pcf-papillon-femmes-paix-immediate-maroc-1925/) (France · 1925 · Fear appeal) - [和平實現是我們第一步的勝利 (The Realisation of Peace Is Our First Step to Victory), Xi'an poster](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/xian-peace-first-step-victory-poster-1936/) (China · 1936 · Glittering generalities) - ['Let's go cherry-blossom viewing' (anti-war league leaflet to Japanese troops)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/lets-go-cherry-blossom-viewing-jpal-leaflet-1943/) (China · 1943 · Transfer) - ["Die Jugend kämpft für den Frieden!": founding ceremony of the Berlin FDJ, Friedrichstadtpalast](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/fdj-berlin-founding-ceremony-peace-banner-1947/) (East Germany · Nov 2, 1947 · Glittering generalities) - [Allies for World Peace](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/allies-for-world-peace-1952/) (United States · Feb 26, 1952 · Glittering generalities, Bandwagon) - [Atoms for Peace poster, page 1: Eisenhower pledge (English-text poster, distribution post not stated)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/atoms-for-peace-poster-page-1-eisenhower-pledge-1956/) (United States · Apr 10, 1956 · Testimonial, Glittering generalities, Transfer) - [FRIEDENSVERTRAG: East Berlin street board on a German peace treaty](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/gdr-friedensvertrag-board-1961/) (East Germany · 1961 · Name-calling, Transfer). Content note: Cartoon caricature of a West German militarist figure marked with SS runes and an Iron Cross mace. - ["Laßt uns gemeinsam für Frieden und Verständigung wirken!": GDR peace-treaty billboard at the Friedrichstraße crossing (CIA photograph)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/gdr-friedensvertrag-billboard-friedrichstrasse-1961/) (East Germany · Dec 8, 1961 · Glittering generalities, Scapegoating) - [Peace, Little Girl ("Daisy")](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/daisy-ad-1964/) (United States · Sep 7, 1964 · Fear appeal) - [March on the Pentagon: signs at the Lincoln Memorial (21 October 1967)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/march-on-pentagon-lincoln-memorial-1967/) (United States · Oct 21, 1967 · Name-calling, Transfer) - [Dove stabbed by a hammer and sickle](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/yaf-dove-hammer-and-sickle-1969/) (United States · 1969 · Transfer) - [Moratorium candle march to the White House (15 October 1969)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/moratorium-peace-now-candle-march-1969/) (United States · Oct 15, 1969 · Transfer, Glittering generalities) - [National student antiwar conference, Cleveland, 14-15 February 1970 (SMC poster)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/smc-student-antiwar-conference-washington-1970/) (United States · 1970 · Bandwagon) - [Son Chan Valley, Vietnam: I'm sorry sir, but my men refuse to go](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/ussf-my-men-refuse-to-go-son-chan-valley-1970/) (United States · 1970 · Bandwagon, Testimonial) - [Women Strike for Peace at the White House (18 March 1970)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/women-strike-for-peace-white-house-1970/) (United States · Mar 18, 1970 · Glittering generalities) - [I am against...: Help Unsell the War congressional cut-out](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/unsell-the-war-i-am-against-skull-1971/) (United States · 1971 · Fear appeal, Card stacking). Content note: Photograph of a human skull in a U.S.-style helmet among foliage. - [The Vietnam War, December 31, 1971: may it rest in peace](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/unsell-the-war-vietnam-war-tombstone-1971/) (United States · 1971 · Transfer) - [Out now! Stop the bombing! April 22 march (National Peace Action Coalition)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/npac-out-now-stop-the-bombing-1972/) (United States · 1972 · Bandwagon) - [State Information Service billboard 'A durable peace based on justice is our aim' (Cairo, 1979)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/egypt-sis-durable-peace-billboard-cairo-1979/) (Egypt · Mar 8, 1979 · Glittering generalities) - ["NATO soldaten tegen kernwapens": banner at the Volkel air base demonstration](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/nato-soldaten-tegen-kernwapens-banner-volkel-1982/) (Netherlands · Apr 12, 1982 · Testimonial) - ["Na atoomreagan geen zonneschijn": banner at a Dutch anti-nuclear demonstration](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/na-atoomreagan-banner-1982/) (Netherlands · Apr 17, 1982 · Name-calling, Fear appeal) - ["STOP Raketenbeschluß!": child with a placard at a youth peace rally, Suhl](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/gdr-suhl-youth-peace-manifestation-stop-sign-1983/) (East Germany · May 20, 1983 · Fear appeal, Bandwagon) - ["Keine neuen US-Raketen in Westeuropa!": peace manifestation, Halle](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/gdr-halle-peace-manifestation-banners-1983/) (East Germany · Oct 21, 1983 · Fear appeal)