"The Jeep is Here to Stay!" Projections of America and Franco-American Relations During World War II
Date of Award
Spring 5-2020
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.A.
Degree Program
History
Department
History
Major Professor
Guenter Bischof
Second Advisor
Robert Dupont
Third Advisor
Allan Millett
Fourth Advisor
Robert Citino
Abstract
During World War II, the Office of War Information produced American and Allied propaganda that was used at home and abroad. Robert Riskin, head of the Bureau of Motion Pictures Overseas Branch, was responsible for creating Projections of America, a documentary film series made to introduce foreigners to America whilst combating negative impressions of Americans that arose in the interwar years. Films from Projections of America contained themes of American culture, ideology, industry and technology, and democracy. In France, these films were used to sway French opinion of Americans while promoting friendship and appreciation for American culture. Ultimately, the films served to prepare the French for the oncoming American occupation. This paper will argue that the Projections of America film series and its use in France successfully promoted American culture while also negating negative perceptions of Americans during World War II.
Recommended Citation
Gentry, Connie L., ""The Jeep is Here to Stay!" Projections of America and Franco-American Relations During World War II" (2020). University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations. 2744.
https://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/2744
Included in
American Film Studies Commons, American Popular Culture Commons, European History Commons, Military History Commons, Other Film and Media Studies Commons, United States History Commons
Rights
The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.