Propaganda Postcards of World War I Thanks to

Propaganda Postcards of World War I Thanks to http: //www. ww 1 propagandacards. com/ for all images and information Thanks to http: //www. ww 1 -propagandacards. com/ for all images and information

Role of Postcards during WWI Postal cards were a universal medium of communication at a time when the only avenues of mass communication were printed newspapers, journals, books, posters and the mail. n Postal cards were immensely popular and the economic mainstay of a vast and diverse printing industry throughout western Europe. n Postcards were cheap, inexpensive to send, ubiquitously available and endlessly creative in the message their pictures conveyed. n

Role of Postcards (Cont. ) Because they were a major means of communication, postcards were produced to communicate the full range of human thought and intent: from humor to nostalgia to joy to hate. n In times of war there is a distillation of belief and motivation and emotion that is clearly reflected in the cards. n They are not merely snapshots of a world at war. They are virtual windows into the minds and hearts of millions who fought that war on the battlefields and the home front as well. n

Central Powers: Celebrating Alliances n n In a time of war, belligerents always seek to boost civilian and soldier morale and cooperation by emphasizing that their nation does not fight alone. Their nation's fate, and power, are favorably enhanced because of alliance and association with the people and leadership of other nations. The imperative to highlight and celebrate the alliance between Germany and Austria-Hungary was especially felt in Germany from the earliest days of the war as the two Central allies were immediately and simultaneously facing the three great empires of Russia, Great Britain and France. There were three types of images used by the Central Powers propagandists to symbolize the wartime alliance:

1 - The royal heads of state n n Germany's Kaiser (emperor) Wilhelm II (middle aged with upswept moustache). Austria-Hungary's Kaiser (emperor) Franz Josef I (old man with white side whiskers). Ottoman Turkey's Sultan Mehmed Rechad V (middle aged, clean shaven with white moustache (later also with beard) and fez). Bulgaria's King (czar) Ferdinand I (older man with full beard).

2 - National flags and coats of arms

3 - Soldiers (and children dressed as soldiers) in stereotypical uniforms Germany's helmet with a spike on the top (till mid-1916) n Austria-Hungary's vertically conical hat with a small visor n Ottoman Turkey's brimless fez n Bulgaria's flat topped field cap with wide brim n

Primary symbols used in propaganda to represent the Allied Powers members Persons of the Heads of State (Kings, Prime Ministers and Presidents -primarily Great Britain, France, Russia, Belgium, Italy and later the USA) n National flags (all Allied Powers) n Soldiers of each countries in their distinctive uniforms (primarily Great Britain, France, Russia, Belgium, Italy and later the USA) n Animals, flowers, naval motifs n

Canada, 1916

London, 1915

“For Honor! For the Liberty of the World!”

London, 1916

“United against the Barbarians”

“Towards Victory”

USA, 1917

Discussion Questions n How are the images of both the Allied and Central Powers similar? n What is the implication of this similarity? n How are these postcard images different from the images of war portrayed in All Quiet on the Western Front? n Why are the images different?

Anti-War Propaganda Postcard or Recruitment Poster Assignment Work with a partner to: – Create a slogan that reflects the realities of war as experienced by Paul and his friends – Draw a literal or symbolic image to represent the slogan or illustrate your point