Blitz Wolf

Blitz Wolf

How the war was also cultural

go!

Context

Description

Analysis

1. Identify the document
2. The title has a historical reference, find it.
3. Focus on the wolf: what historical character does he look like?
4. What year was it released? What historical event happened just before in the USA?

Blitz Wolf 1942

The document is a poster for a cartoon directed by Tex Avery and produced by the MGM studio. It is entitled "Blitz Wolf".

The Blitz was the period of intense bombings on London during World War II. The term blitz also refers to Hitler's strategy at the beginning of the war: "the blitzkrieg" or lightning war.

The wolf is wearing a military uniform. He has a small moustache. On his uniform we can see a swastika. The wolf is a representation of Adolf Hitler.

The cartoon was released in 1942. On December 7th 1941, Japanese airplanes attacked and destroyed most of the American fleet in Pearl Harbor (Hawaï). The USA entered WWII after this surprise attack.

Tex Avery Real name: Dates: Nationality: Professional career:

Tex Avery His real name is Frederick Bean Avery. He was born on February 26th 1908 and died on August 26th 1980. He is American. He created the cartoon style. He worked for the MGM and Warner Bros studios. He created famous characters such as Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck.

Now watch the cartoon

Recap

The cartoon is a remake of the traditional tale "The Three Little Pigs". There are three pigs. They build different houses. The first two pigs are not afraid of the wolf and build houses of straw and wood. But the Wolf attacks and destroys their houses. The third pig builds a resistant house so he protects the other pigs from the Wolf. In the end the Wolf is defeated.

Analysis

What do the animals represent?

Analysis

What does this part of the cartoon refer to?

Analysis

What does the vitamin represent ?

Analysis

What does the sign refer to?

Analysis

What is the objective of this cartoon ?

Make fun of the enemy Support the Allies

= propaganda

Other examples

Let's recap

The animals in the cartoon represent the different countries involved in WWII. The pigs are the Allies and the Wolf symbolizes Hitler and the Axis. The non agression pact between the two pigs and the Wolf is a reference to the German Soviet pact signed in August 1939, which was finally broken by Nazi Germany 2 years later. The 3rd pig represents the power of the USA. The sign at his house (NO JAPS) refers to the conflict with Japan which started on December 7th 1941 when the Japanese airplanes attacked the base of Pearl of Harbor by surprise. The objective of the cartoon is to make fun of the enemy and support the Allies. It can be considered as propaganda.