Propaganda: Using Canadian War Posters to Develop Critical Thinking & Digital Literacy

Propaganda! If there is one thing that most adults would agree on here in early 2026, it’s this: Never before in world history has propaganda been more ubiquitous and well-designed . . . in fact, the tools of the trade are now so advanced that increasing numbers of thoughtful people are beginning to wonder how much they really ‘know’ and how much of the past they accurately understood. And if that’s the case for adults, how can we expect students to be competent at thinking critically about what they observe, hear, or read? During this Canadian military history education session, attendees will observe how Canadian war posters (and cartoons) from the First and Second World Wars can be used in their classroom to educate about propaganda, engage critical thinking, and further develop digital literacy skills. All resources referenced during this presentation are downloadable (free) at ValourCanada.ca OR within this session's presentation tab.