War Withour Mercy 185

The New York Times published this cartoon in April of 1943. It depicts the Japanese as monstrous guerillas. It was typical to show the Japanese as almost sub-human or animal like. Also the guerilla is made to look intimidating to emphasize Japanese brutality. The gun to its head is labeled "civilization", which shows that it was the Americans job to civilize the Japanese.

War Without Mercy 188

The Chicago Tribune published this cartoon in January 1942. This cartoon depicts the Japanese as horrendous monsters, but more importantly, it shows them as a "horde". This depiction de-humanizes the Japanese and shows them as collective, not as individuals. Thinking of the Japanese as a de-individualized collective made it easier to think of the whole race as an ememy, without destinction.

War Without Mercy 190

Detroit News published this cartoon in August 1945.This shows blatant racism. The Western scientists are trying to study this creature, who is supposed to be Japanese. It depicts a short Japanese male with the Western scientists trying to figure out his mind. In fact, many studies were done in the west trying to scientifically document differences.

Before the Bomb 29

This was published in Life in June of 1945. It shows the Japanese as mosquitoes with distorted Asian features. The parasitic, sneak attack of the mosquito on the innocent, picknicking American family clearly suggests the treachery of the Japanese.

Michael Simpson Dillon

This exhibit and museum were created during an introductory seminar on the Asia-Pacific War, taught at Wake Forest University during the spring semester 2002.

The material and opinions are those of their respective authors and do not represent the views of the University or the Department of History.