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WWII

Antiwar Demonstrator

by David Robbins

The year is 1941 and the world is in a tumultuous state. World War II is raging and the United States is still attempting to remain neutral. 

David Robbins’ photograph illustrates the general feeling of American citizens who were not willing to commit to a war while still struggling to overcome the effects of the Great Depression. 

However, on December 7th, Pearl Harbor is bombed in a surprised attack by the Japanese.  The Japanese Admiral Yamamoto afterwards said, “I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant” and his words proved true, for the U.S. joined the Allied cause and in 1945 both the German Nazi regime and the Japanese admitted defeat.

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David Robbins, Antiwar demonstrator
David Robbins, Antiwar Demonstration, c. 1941 Gelatin silver print:  8 7/8 x 7 3/8 in.

Photo League Collection, Museum Purchase with funds provided by Elizabeth M. Ross, the Derby Fund, John S. and Catherine Chapin Kobacker, and the Friends of the Photo League

Within WWII...
James Guy John McClellan Leo Meissner Philip Reisman David Robbins

WWI The Rise of Fascism Spanish Civil War
WWII Cold War Vietnam War
Werner Drews
James Guy
Edward Hagedorn
Rockwell Kent
Joseph Leboit
John McClellan
Miriam McKinnie Hofmeier
Leo Meissner
Bernard Perlin
Anton Refreiger
Philip Reisman
David Robbins
Ben Shahn
Harry Sternberg
Stuyvesant Van Veen


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