Propagandistic messages can take on various forms -? the mass media (posters, radio telecasts, speeches made by the government, television, films, poems) played an influential role in disseminating news from the Front Lines to the Home Front. Atrocity propaganda: used in accordance with psychological warfare – Demotions the enemy, spreading fabrications and exaggerations about crimes committed by an enemy.
Depicting Germans as evil: Infamous Newspaper Headlines “Belgium child’s hands cut off by Germans” “Germans crucify Canadian officer” On April 17th 191 7, it was reported the Germans had a “corpse exploitation establishment?’ Murder/Execution of Edith Cave by the Germans in Belgium in 1 91 5 Sinking of Louisiana portrayed as massive atrocity by Germans Posters referring to Germans as “hunks” and overblown propaganda about the “rape of Belgium” “Beat Back the Hung with Liberty Bonds” -? Shocking at first sight. Encourage the Americans to defeat the Germans by buying war bonds.
Exemplifies the obnoxious racial discrimination towards the Germans Propaganda for patriotism and nationalism: Designed to maintain public morale and faith in the country in order to sustain the war effort. Also convince civilians to enlist voluntarily until conscription was introduced in 1917. Films: How Britain Prepared, The Battle of the Some (Promote British strength and determination in the war effort) The use of an iconic figure to strengthen a particular point about national identity and to promote patriotism.
They might come from old myths and folklore: Britannic, John Bull, British bulldog etc. Bulldog – union flag and the icon of the bulldog to show Britain, Australia, Canada, South Africa, India, New Zealand standing against a common threat in 1915. Material symbols of nationhood – Coins, banknotes, postage stamps, the national anthem and flag. The need to raise money to pay for the war. Encouraging the people to buy war bonds, the portrayal of money as an active force of military engagement.
Propaganda for influencing national opinion: By means of longer books, pamphlets and cartoons The Plotters of Wall Street, 1915 – It tells off plot by unscrupulous financiers o draw the USA into a war which would be against its own interests and ruinous to its economy. Warns Americans against financial support for Britain, arguing that loans would never be repaid. Propaganda against enemy armed forces – Balloons and airplanes were used to drop pamphlets and posters over fighting forces and civilians, this was used directly against enemies.
Advertising from propaganda: Newspapers – The public was very interested in the news from the Front Lines This provided companies with a platform for advertising their products to the people Patriotism was a recurring motif in commercial advertising, long with the denigration of the enemy. In this process, buying the products of the Allied nations was absolutely key and extended to distinguishing the Allies’ approach to war in contrast to that of the enemy, as well as tacitly advocating an emotional connection through the consumption of these goods.
E. G: Gillette – “Clean Fighters” of the Allied forces “fighting for clean ideals” – The men could not keep beards in the front lines as they were prone to lice and unable to put on the gas mask. The US army determined that all their men should be clean shaven. Private enterprises – reinforced orphaned messages and also benefited from the sale of goods Women & Children’s experiences on propaganda: Both parties depicted as very vulnerable Depicted women as guardians and protectors of their homes “Women of Britain say GO! : Encouraged men to fight for the glory of Britain, bring justice to Belgium and protect the country from any possible attacks. Although only men were allowed to fight in the war, women stayed active, passionate and patriotic about the war. Children in WWW : Correct moral values were equivalent to learning how to read and write (in schools) Textbooks emphasized propagandistic messages and promoted Adriatic values – Their content of lessons in school focused on promoting the war effort Asked to draw and write about anything related to war.
Photograph showing children imitating soldiers by carrying improvised swords and shields preparing for a military drill. “Daddy, what did you do in the Great war? ” -? Emotional blackmail of using children to shame their elders in fighting Children’s stories exaggerated the threat of the enemy agents, but also focused on the responsibility to be vigilant against “slackers”. Lots of social pressure was put on children and adults that did not demonstrate a retain level of patriotism.
How propaganda depicts the enemy: Atrocity propaganda – Evokes feelings of inhumanity, brutality etc for the enemy The use of stereotypes -? Important part of understanding the use of anti-symbols and the portrayal of the enemy in propaganda. Portrayals from various countries Germans referred to the British as “perfidious Albino” Britain used the stereotype of the German “Hung” was used to reinforce British values favorably against German aggression. The French depicts the Germans as Bocce. The mage of the enemy was a cruel aspect of wartime propaganda and served to justify British war aims.
Belgium was a neutral force and depicted as a helpless child or a woman ravaged from brutal Prussian militarism. Music as propaganda: Used to inspire passion and voluntary compliance in the listeners, make those who did not support the war effort shameful Tool to influence social and political attitudes The melody, beat, dynamics, rhythm could be adjusted to reflect its message and enhance its impact on the listener. What sets it apart from words / books is that music can be retained in the mind for a longer period of time. Improve the morale, gaining support, collecting money, and encouraging recruitment. E. : Politicians -? use musical fanfare at public rallies to generate an emotional response in support of their causes. Your King and Your Country Want You this song praises a young man’s sporting achievements. He is then told to enlist in the army, but is promised that he will be loved and missed no matter what fate befalls him. Most important/ Most impacting: It was a tough decision between propaganda and new weapons technology. It’s like comparing an apple with an orange, very different. One was focused on recruitment and inducement – tackles a psychological aspect while the there tackles the physical aspect Of war.
