Propaganda in World War One Day One What

+ Propaganda in World War One

Day One: What is Propaganda? n Propaganda is a specific type of message presentation aimed at serving an agenda. n At its root, the denotation of propaganda is to propagate (actively spread) a philosophy or point of view.

What is Propaganda? n The most common use of the term (historically) is in political contexts; in particular to refer to certain efforts sponsored by governments or political groups.

Why do we use Propaganda? n Each of the nations which participated in World War One from 1914 -18 used propaganda posters. n Posters served the following purposes: n To justify their involvement to their own populace n As a means of recruiting men A way to raise money and resources to sustain the military campaign. Urge conservation n n

Why Posters? n Television had not yet been invented n Not everyone owned or had access to a radio n Posters were the most effective means of getting a message across

+ Justification n Destroy this mad brute n While England France were depicted as “civilization, ” Germany was shown as a “mad brute” — here, a giant, drooling gorilla wielding the club of German kultur (culture) and carrying the limp, half-naked body of a woman. n As a result of propaganda like this, German Americans — many of whose ancestors had lived in America for centuries — faced persecution during the war.

+ Recruiting n Uncle Sam n This famous portrayal of “Uncle Sam” first appeared during World War I. n Poster by James Montgomery Flag, 1917.

+ Male Recruiting n On which side of the window are you? n Men who stayed safe at home would be left out of the glory. Here, a man stays safe inside, left in the shadows, while victorious soldiers parade outside his window. n Poster by: Laura Brey, 1917.

+ Male Recruiting n Rivets are bayonets - Drive them home! n Men at home did have important work to do, though. Here, an industrial worker uses a rivet gun, perhaps in building ships or tanks for the army. “Rivets are bayonets, ” the poster says — industrial work was just as important as military service. n Poster by: John E. Sheridan, 1917.

+ Women Recruiting n Be a trained nurse n More and more women were working outside the home in the 1910 s, and this poster spoke to women’s desire for a career of their own. Nursing, it said, “offers almost unlimited opportunities. ”

+ Children n Boys and girls! You can help your Uncle Sam win the war n Children couldn’t afford liberty bonds, but to encourage them to support the war, the government sold war savings stamps worth 10 cents and 25 cents. Like war bonds, the stamps paid interest. In this poster, Uncle Sam teaches children a lesson not only about patriotism but about the importance of saving. n Poster by: James Montgomery Flagg ; American Lithographic Co. , N. Y. 1917.

+ Children n Little Americans, do your bit. Leave nothing on your plate n Even the smallest children were enlisted in the war effort. Wheat was needed for soldiers, and so children (and their mothers) were encouraged to eat other grains such as oatmeal, corn, and rice — and were reminded, like children everywhere, to clean their plates. n Poster by: Cushman Parker, 1917.

+ Immigrants n Remember your first thrill of American liberty n Immigrants were the target of this campaign. America had given them liberty, the poster reminded them; now it was their duty to buy bonds to help preserve it. n Poster by: United States Dept of the Treasury (sponsor/funder) and by Sackett & Wilhelms Corp. N. Y. 1917

Conservation/Contribution n Keep the home garden going n Because so much food was needed for soldiers and starving civilians in Europe, Americans were encouraged to keep gardens. (In World War II, these gardens would be called “victory gardens. ”) This poster shows three men with crops in poses like those in Archibald Willard’s famous painting Spirit of ’ 76, and calls on the “Spirit of ‘ 18. ” n Poster by: William Mc. Kee, 1918.

Conservation/Contribution n Join the United States school garden army n Children could work in gardens, too. A government program called the United States School Garden Army encouraged kids to feel that by gardening, they were fighting in France alongside the men in the trenches. Gardening, wrote President Wilson, “is just as real and patriotic an effort as the building of ships or the firing of cannon. ” n Poster by: Edward Penfield, 1918.

Conservation/Contribution n Our boys need sox, knit your bit n Women could not serve in the army, but they could help the war effort in other ways. This poster urged women to knit socks for soldiers, even though textile factories made soldiers’ uniforms. Efforts like these had more to do with generating feelings of patriotism than with actually supplying the troops. n Poster by: American National Red Cross

+ Seven Tricks of Propaganda 1. Bandwagon - To convince the audience to do or believe something because everyone else is doing it. 2. Plain Folks - Suggesting something is practical and a good value for ordinary people. 3. Glittering Generality - Using words so strongly positive in emotional content that just hearing them makes you feel good. The words express a positive meaning without actually giving a guarantee.

+ Seven Tricks of Propaganda 4. Transfer - Transferring good looks, feelings, or ideas to the person who the propaganda is meant to influence. Suggests the positive qualities to be associated with the product and the user. 5. Testimonial - Using a famous person to endorse the product. 6. Repetition - Using the product name or a keyword or phrase over and over. 7. Name Calling - Using harsh/kind words to make a point effective.

+ Day Two: Class Opener n Yesterday we learned that at its root, the denotation of propaganda is to propagate (actively spread) a philosophy or point of view. Write one example found in our current society that is also based on this idea.

+Poster One Time: 6 Minutes

+Poster Two Time: 6 Minutes

+Poster Three Time: 5 Minutes

+ Exit Questions n Which poster was most effective in communicating its message? What “trick(s)” did it use? n Is propaganda only necessary during war? Explain. n How can propaganda have a positive influence in a society? n How can propaganda have a negative influence in a society?