Forensic Research Archive of Manipulation and Exploitation
Let's Go to Work, Brother!!, 1943 US cartoon: Two large figures labelled 'Paul Bunyan' and 'John Henry', one white and one

Let's Go to Work, Brother!!

Two large figures labelled 'Paul Bunyan' and 'John Henry', one white and one Black, stand on a globe looking down at small, agitated figures at its edge. The tell is transfer: two American folk heroes of labour are paired as equal partners to lend legendary strength to the call to war work.

Propaganda techniques used in this cartoon

TransferGlittering generalities
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
Mobilize or secure compliance
Themes
Labor, Home front, Race and ethnicity
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-179 (NAID 535664).

Text on the object

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

"LET'S GO TO WORK, BROTHER!!"
[On belts:] PAUL BUNYAN; JOHN HENRY
[Signed:] Alston

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