Content note: Caricature of a grimacing, unshaven figure labelled Bigotry, Sabotage and Foreign Propaganda, shown as printed. This object is shown as it was published. Why
Stop the fifth column
A scowling, unshaven caricature in a cap and sailor-style collar shoves at a column marked JUSTICE among columns marked Liberty, Unity and Equality. His cap, armband and sash are labelled Bigotry, Sabotage and Foreign Propaganda. The tell is labels worn on the figure: the poster names the 'fifth column' as bigotry, sabotage and foreign propaganda, a fear-appeal about undermining national ideals.
Propaganda techniques used in this poster
- Date
- 1941
- Period
- Second World War
- Made by
- Appreciate America, Inc. (Chicago)
- Region
- North America
- Country
- United States
- Medium
- Poster
- Issuer type
- Mixed
- Regime
- Roosevelt Administration
- Leader
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Audience
- Domestic public
- Purpose
- Warn or inform
- Themes
- Security and surveillance, Home front
- Event
- World War II
- Regime
- Roosevelt administration
- Leader
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Source
- Identified Openly sourced: the speaker is who they say they are
- Source
- U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 44, World War II Posters, retrieved October 4, 2026
- Rights
- Public domain (U.S. government work)
Appreciate America, Inc. (Chicago). National Archives and Records Administration, RG 44, 44-PA-414H (NAID 513873).
Text on the object
APPRECIATE ★ AMERICA Stop THE FIFTH COLUMN LIBERTY UNITY JUSTICE EQUALITY BIGOTRY SABOTAGE FOREIGN PROPAGANDA RED FOR COURAGE WHITE FOR HONOR BLUE FOR JUSTICE [imprint:] COPYRIGHT, 1941, APPRECIATE AMERICA INC., 130 NO. WELLS ST., CHICAGO, ILL.
