Forensic Research Archive of Manipulation and Exploitation
"Democracy in Action" No. II, 1943 US cartoon: A Liberty ship with the name 'George Washington Carver' on its bow steams

"Democracy in Action" No. II (George Washington Carver Liberty Ship)

A Liberty ship with the name 'George Washington Carver' on its bow steams through rough seas, while a large portrait of the scientist appears in a halo of light above its smoke. The tell is transfer: the respect attached to Carver is lent to the ship and to the phrase 'democracy in action', a glittering generality.

Propaganda techniques used in this cartoon

Glittering generalitiesTransfer
Date
1943
Period
Second World War
Made by
Office of War Information (cartoon artwork; artist Charles Alston)
Region
North America
Country
United States
Medium
Cartoon
Issuer type
State
Regime
Roosevelt Administration
Leader
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Audience
Domestic public
Purpose
Persuade or win support
Themes
War and the military, Race and ethnicity, 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 (NARA), RG 208, Artworks and Mockups for Cartoons Promoting the War Effort (NAID 535594), retrieved October 3, 2026
Rights
Public domain (U.S. government work)
Office of War Information. National Archives and Records Administration, RG 208, 208-COM-92 (NAID 535633).

Text on the object

Original (English) · read from the image, not independently checked

GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER

"A GREAT NAME
CONTINUES IN THE SERVICE
OF HUMANITY ——"

Alston OWI

"DEMOCRACY IN ACTION"
No.II

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