Radio Days on America's Home Front

Gerd Horten on how 'soaps' helped win the war after Pearl Harbor.

When the United States finally joined the Allies in their war against the Axis powers in the winter of 1941, the American media immediately directed its efforts towards the creation of a 'wartime culture': one permeated by propaganda and subordinated to the primary goal of uniting the country and winning the war. Both Hollywood and the broadcasting industry became compliant and eager participants in the struggle, and in general succeeded both in gaining support for the sacrifices required and in explaining some of the intricacies of the world conflict in simple, everyday language.

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