Prelude to War
Encyclopedia
Prelude to War was the first film of Frank Capra
’s Why We Fight
propaganda film series, commissioned by the Office of War Information (OWI) and George C. Marshall. It was made to convince American troops of the necessity of combating the Axis Powers
during World War II
. The film was based on the idea that those in the service would be more willing and able fighters if they knew the background and reason for their participation in the war. It was later released to the general American public as a rallying cry for support of the war.
, the Secretary of War at the time, was quoted to create trust with the audience, “the purpose of these films is to give factual information as to the causes, the events leading up to our entry into the war and the principles for which we are fighting.”
The purpose of the OWI was to use mass communication to sell the war and to define our perception of the reality of war; therefore, they released Prelude to War to further these goals. The film commences with an explanation of how Americans were brought into the war through heroic motives to protect countries unable to protect themselves. America had this duty to righteousness and Christian
values throughout history, according to the values and beliefs set forth by the founding fathers.
The documentary makes use of compare and contrast methods throughout the film in order to transmit its heroic message. The primary images used within the film to portray the opponents of America are introduced by Henry Wallace
as the “free world” — a brightly-illuminated planet of the Allies
, and a “slave world” as a planet deep in shadow of the Axis Powers.
It examines the differences between this free, democratic state and the slave, fascist state represented by Benito Mussolini
, Adolf Hitler
and Yamamoto
working together as gangster
s to conquer the world. In order to do this, Capra made use of footage from Triumph of the Will
, but with different narration designed to support the Allied cause.
It is brought to the audience’s attention that after the Nazis smashed the opposing political parties and labor unions they turned their attention to their last remaining obstacle — the church. In one scene a stained glass window is shattered by several bricks to reveal a “Heil Hitler!” poster behind. To emphasize this depiction of Hitler as an antichrist
figure, a class of German schoolchildren is shown singing:
In the two decades following World War I
and the failure of the League of Nations
, a spirit of isolationism
became prevalent throughout the United States
that persisted up to the attack on Pearl Harbor
. This presented a major obstacle in garnering support for the war, as the people of the United States did not feel a sense of unity with other nations of the world, most notably, Europe
. In an effort to dispel this isolationist way of thinking, Prelude to War was produced in order to raise the enthusiasm and interest of U.S. troops for the international struggle.
The film addressed the need for change in current American citizens’ standpoint on the war through interviews with civilians. In response to whether or not America should get involved in the war, Americans were depicted saying “I think we should stay out of it entirely,” and “They mean nothing to us.” Protesters against the war rallied under slogans like “No Foreign Entanglements.” The film argues that, contrary to the public opinion of the time, the problems of the United States “were and always will be dependent upon the problems of the entire world and our peace is gained when there is peace for all.”
The film pointed to the Japanese invasion of Manchuria as as when WWII begun-"remember that date: Sept 18, 1931 a date you should remember as well as Dec 7, 1941. For on that date in 1931 the war we are now fighting begun." saying that we knew that the aggressors should be stopped but it was impossible to convince the average person "that they should go to war over a mud hut in Manchuria." After going over Japan's invasions of China the film asks about Japan's allies saying that while Hitler was not ready Mussolini was and that Mussolini had to be as his government had not been able to produced what it had promised "so he pulled the old trick of a foreign war to divert from troubles at home". The film then describes just how outclassed Ethiopia was against Italy was and how "we hadn't realized that peace for us involves peace for all" and saying that they would take up Hitler in their next film
.
The film series was a useful tool in motivating the public and boosted support for the war. It was so well perceived that on March 4, 1943, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
awarded an Academy Award to Capra for Prelude to War as the Best Documentary film of 1942, illustrating how the government and military successfully and cohesively relayed their message of national unity to the American people through popular culture.
Frank Capra
Frank Russell Capra was a Sicilian-born American film director. He emigrated to the U.S. when he was six, and eventually became a creative force behind major award-winning films during the 1930s and 1940s...
’s Why We Fight
Why We Fight
Why We Fight is a series of seven war information training films commissioned by the United States government during World War II whose purpose was to show American soldiers the reason for U.S. involvement in the war. Later on they were also shown to the general U.S...
propaganda film series, commissioned by the Office of War Information (OWI) and George C. Marshall. It was made to convince American troops of the necessity of combating the Axis Powers
Axis Powers
The Axis powers , also known as the Axis alliance, Axis nations, Axis countries, or just the Axis, was an alignment of great powers during the mid-20th century that fought World War II against the Allies. It began in 1936 with treaties of friendship between Germany and Italy and between Germany and...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The film was based on the idea that those in the service would be more willing and able fighters if they knew the background and reason for their participation in the war. It was later released to the general American public as a rallying cry for support of the war.
Plot
In an edit added to the film before public release, a comment by Henry L. StimsonHenry L. Stimson
Henry Lewis Stimson was an American statesman, lawyer and Republican Party politician and spokesman on foreign policy. He twice served as Secretary of War 1911–1913 under Republican William Howard Taft and 1940–1945, under Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt. In the latter role he was a leading hawk...
, the Secretary of War at the time, was quoted to create trust with the audience, “the purpose of these films is to give factual information as to the causes, the events leading up to our entry into the war and the principles for which we are fighting.”
The purpose of the OWI was to use mass communication to sell the war and to define our perception of the reality of war; therefore, they released Prelude to War to further these goals. The film commences with an explanation of how Americans were brought into the war through heroic motives to protect countries unable to protect themselves. America had this duty to righteousness and Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
values throughout history, according to the values and beliefs set forth by the founding fathers.
The documentary makes use of compare and contrast methods throughout the film in order to transmit its heroic message. The primary images used within the film to portray the opponents of America are introduced by Henry Wallace
Henry Wallace
Henry or Harry Wallace may refer to:*Henry A. Wallace , U.S. Vice President 1941-1945, presidential candidate for the Progressive Party 1948**Henry A. Wallace Beltsville Agricultural Research Center...
as the “free world” — a brightly-illuminated planet of the Allies
Allies of World War II
The Allies of World War II were the countries that opposed the Axis powers during the Second World War . Former Axis states contributing to the Allied victory are not considered Allied states...
, and a “slave world” as a planet deep in shadow of the Axis Powers.
It examines the differences between this free, democratic state and the slave, fascist state represented by Benito Mussolini
Benito Mussolini
Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini was an Italian politician who led the National Fascist Party and is credited with being one of the key figures in the creation of Fascism....
, Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party , commonly referred to as the Nazi Party). He was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, and head of state from 1934 to 1945...
and Yamamoto
Yamamoto
Yamamoto is one of the most popular Japanese surnames.In mathematics, Yamamoto may refer to the Lubell–Yamamoto–Meshalkin inequality, named for Koichi Yamamoto et al....
working together as gangster
Gangster
A gangster is a criminal who is a member of a gang. Some gangs are considered to be part of organized crime. Gangsters are also called mobsters, a term derived from mob and the suffix -ster....
s to conquer the world. In order to do this, Capra made use of footage from Triumph of the Will
Triumph of the Will
Triumph of the Will is a propaganda film made by Leni Riefenstahl. It chronicles the 1934 Nazi Party Congress in Nuremberg, which was attended by more than 700,000 Nazi supporters. The film contains excerpts from speeches given by various Nazi leaders at the Congress, including portions of...
, but with different narration designed to support the Allied cause.
It is brought to the audience’s attention that after the Nazis smashed the opposing political parties and labor unions they turned their attention to their last remaining obstacle — the church. In one scene a stained glass window is shattered by several bricks to reveal a “Heil Hitler!” poster behind. To emphasize this depiction of Hitler as an antichrist
Antichrist
The term or title antichrist, in Christian theology, refers to a leader who fulfills Biblical prophecies concerning an adversary of Christ, while resembling him in a deceptive manner...
figure, a class of German schoolchildren is shown singing:
Adolf Hitler is our Saviour, our hero
He is the noblest being in the whole wide world.
For Hitler we live,
For Hitler we die.
Our Hitler is our Lord
Who rules a brave new world.
Historical background
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and the failure of the League of Nations
League of Nations
The League of Nations was an intergovernmental organization founded as a result of the Paris Peace Conference that ended the First World War. It was the first permanent international organization whose principal mission was to maintain world peace...
, a spirit of isolationism
Isolationism
Isolationism is the policy or doctrine of isolating one's country from the affairs of other nations by declining to enter into alliances, foreign economic commitments, international agreements, etc., seeking to devote the entire efforts of one's country to its own advancement and remain at peace by...
became prevalent throughout the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
that persisted up to the attack on Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor, known to Hawaiians as Puuloa, is a lagoon harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, west of Honolulu. Much of the harbor and surrounding lands is a United States Navy deep-water naval base. It is also the headquarters of the U.S. Pacific Fleet...
. This presented a major obstacle in garnering support for the war, as the people of the United States did not feel a sense of unity with other nations of the world, most notably, Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. In an effort to dispel this isolationist way of thinking, Prelude to War was produced in order to raise the enthusiasm and interest of U.S. troops for the international struggle.
The film addressed the need for change in current American citizens’ standpoint on the war through interviews with civilians. In response to whether or not America should get involved in the war, Americans were depicted saying “I think we should stay out of it entirely,” and “They mean nothing to us.” Protesters against the war rallied under slogans like “No Foreign Entanglements.” The film argues that, contrary to the public opinion of the time, the problems of the United States “were and always will be dependent upon the problems of the entire world and our peace is gained when there is peace for all.”
The film pointed to the Japanese invasion of Manchuria as as when WWII begun-"remember that date: Sept 18, 1931 a date you should remember as well as Dec 7, 1941. For on that date in 1931 the war we are now fighting begun." saying that we knew that the aggressors should be stopped but it was impossible to convince the average person "that they should go to war over a mud hut in Manchuria." After going over Japan's invasions of China the film asks about Japan's allies saying that while Hitler was not ready Mussolini was and that Mussolini had to be as his government had not been able to produced what it had promised "so he pulled the old trick of a foreign war to divert from troubles at home". The film then describes just how outclassed Ethiopia was against Italy was and how "we hadn't realized that peace for us involves peace for all" and saying that they would take up Hitler in their next film
The Nazis Strike
The Nazis Strike was the second film of Frank Capra's Why We Fight propaganda film series. It introduces Germany as a nation whose aggressive ambitions began in 1863 with Otto von Bismarck and with the Nazis as their latest incarnation....
.
Significance in the War
The U.S. Army used Prelude to War as a training film for indoctrinating soldiers before its release in theaters. Prior to deployment, it was compulsory for all U.S. soldiers to view the film. The goal when showing it to the general public was to unify the country and to encourage that everyone should do their part in the war effort. The films produced by Capra inspired the society of the time to mobilize as a nation and rally around their country, their troops, and their president.The film series was a useful tool in motivating the public and boosted support for the war. It was so well perceived that on March 4, 1943, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is a professional honorary organization dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of motion pictures...
awarded an Academy Award to Capra for Prelude to War as the Best Documentary film of 1942, illustrating how the government and military successfully and cohesively relayed their message of national unity to the American people through popular culture.
External links
- Watch Prelude to War on Google VideoGoogle VideoGoogle Videos is a video search engine, and formerly a free video sharing website, from Google Inc. Before removing user-uploaded content, the service allowed selected videos to be remotely embedded on other websites and provided the necessary HTML code alongside the media, similar to YouTube...