Propaganda in World War Propaganda in World War OneOne

What is Propaganda?What is Propaganda?

• PropagandaPropaganda is a specific is a specific type of message type of message presentation aimed at presentation aimed at serving an agenda. At its serving an agenda. At its root, the denotation of root, the denotation of propaganda is 'to propagate propaganda is 'to propagate (actively spread) a (actively spread) a philosophy or point of view'. philosophy or point of view'.

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

Why do we use Why do we use Propaganda?Propaganda?• Each of the nations Each of the nations

which participated in which participated in World War One from World War One from 1914-18 used 1914-18 used propaganda posters.propaganda posters.

• They used posters to:They used posters to:– justify their involvement justify their involvement

to their own populaceto their own populace– As a means of recruiting As a means of recruiting

menmen– A way to raise money and A way to raise money and

resources to sustain the resources to sustain the military campaign.military campaign.

– To urge conservationTo urge conservation

Why Posters?Why Posters?

• Television had not Television had not yet been inventedyet been invented

• Not everyone Not everyone owned or had owned or had access to a radioaccess to a radio

• Posters were the Posters were the most effective most effective means of getting a means of getting a message acrossmessage across

Government SupportGovernment Support

• Quite often propaganda Quite often propaganda is connected with is connected with negative emotionsnegative emotions

• During the Great War During the Great War the governments the governments needed money for the needed money for the war effort so they war effort so they focused their efforts on focused their efforts on posters aimed at raising posters aimed at raising money from citizens for money from citizens for the war effortthe war effort

Propaganda uses Seven Tricks to Propaganda uses Seven Tricks to get their message acrossget their message across

•Name CallingName Calling: : hanging a bad hanging a bad label on an label on an idea, idea, symbolized by symbolized by a hand turning a hand turning thumbs down;thumbs down;

Card StackingCard Stacking

– The Propagandist The Propagandist uses this technique to uses this technique to make the best case make the best case possible for his side possible for his side and the worst for the and the worst for the opposing viewpoint opposing viewpoint by carefully using by carefully using only those facts that only those facts that support his or her support his or her side of the argument side of the argument while attempting to while attempting to lead the audience lead the audience into accepting the into accepting the facts as a conclusion. facts as a conclusion.

Band WagonBand Wagon- Propagandists use - Propagandists use

this technique to this technique to persuade the persuade the audience to follow audience to follow the crowd. This the crowd. This device creates the device creates the impression of impression of widespread support. widespread support. It reinforces the It reinforces the human desire to be human desire to be on the winning side.on the winning side.

TestimonialTestimonial• Propagandists use this Propagandists use this

technique to associate technique to associate a respected person or a respected person or someone with someone with experience to endorse experience to endorse a product or cause by a product or cause by giving it their stamp of giving it their stamp of approval hoping that approval hoping that the intended audience the intended audience will follow their will follow their example. example.

Plain FolksPlain Folks– Propagandists Propagandists

use this approach use this approach to convince the to convince the audience that the audience that the spokesperson is spokesperson is from humble from humble origins, someone origins, someone they can trust they can trust and who has their and who has their interests at heart.interests at heart.

TransferTransfer– a technique used to a technique used to

carry over the authority carry over the authority and approval of and approval of something we respect something we respect and revere to and revere to something the something the propagandist would propagandist would have us accept. have us accept. Propagandists often Propagandists often employ symbols (e.g., employ symbols (e.g., waving the flag) to stir waving the flag) to stir our emotions and win our emotions and win our approval. our approval.

Glittering Glittering GeneralityGenerality– Propagandists employ Propagandists employ

vague, sweeping vague, sweeping statements (often slogans statements (often slogans or simple catchphrases) or simple catchphrases) using language associated using language associated with values and beliefs with values and beliefs deeply held by the deeply held by the audience without audience without providing supporting providing supporting information or reason. information or reason. They appeal to such They appeal to such notions as honor, glory, notions as honor, glory, love of country, desire for love of country, desire for peace, freedom, and peace, freedom, and family values. family values.