What is propaganda?
Propaganda was a message created to persuade its intended audience to think and behave in a particular way. Propaganda is a deliberate presentation of a one sided view of an issue.
Propaganda in WWI
At the beginning of the world war propaganda was used to promote the war and encouraging men to join.
Propaganda was a message created to persuade its intended audience to think and behave in a particular way. Propaganda is a deliberate presentation of a one sided view of an issue.
Propaganda in WWI
At the beginning of the world war propaganda was used to promote the war and encouraging men to join.
Britian
Purpose of Propaganda
Propaganda in Britain highlighted German responsibility for the war, fixed on Belgium and made much of alleged German war atrocities. Making British soldiers defend civilisation against German barbarism. As the war progressed the tone of British propaganda changed. Emphasising that it was required to maintain national sacrifice and unity on the home front in the face of growing war weariness. The purposes of propaganda in Britain was to promote;
For propaganda to make an impact it needs to follow certain fundamental rules, these were easily understood during WWI. These fundamentals of propaganda were;
Effectiveness of Propaganda
British propaganda was able to connect with citizens, influencing them to leave their homes to join the war.
Organisation of Propaganda
The government responsible for propaganda at the beginning of the war was the Secret War Propaganda Bureau (February 1917 - February 1918). The role was then passed on to the Department of Information (February 1918 until the end of the war)
June 1917 a National War Aims Committee was made. Its goals were to create propaganda that would overcome war weariness that the government feared could potentially have happened during the course of the war. Making the British government realise that propaganda was a great value, and its interest and involvement in promoting propaganda increased as the war progressed.
Propaganda in Britain highlighted German responsibility for the war, fixed on Belgium and made much of alleged German war atrocities. Making British soldiers defend civilisation against German barbarism. As the war progressed the tone of British propaganda changed. Emphasising that it was required to maintain national sacrifice and unity on the home front in the face of growing war weariness. The purposes of propaganda in Britain was to promote;
- Voluntary enlistments
- Form hatred for the enemy
- Create sympathy for Belgium
- Justify Britain’s position
- Encourage people in wartime occupations
- Encourage women to take on war work
- Promote subscriptions to war loans
- Encourage criticism of "couchies" and other slackers
For propaganda to make an impact it needs to follow certain fundamental rules, these were easily understood during WWI. These fundamentals of propaganda were;
- Propaganda used stereotypes
- Effective propaganda is repetitive
- Proper names were never used
- Frequently lies
- Makes strong assertions
Effectiveness of Propaganda
British propaganda was able to connect with citizens, influencing them to leave their homes to join the war.
Organisation of Propaganda
The government responsible for propaganda at the beginning of the war was the Secret War Propaganda Bureau (February 1917 - February 1918). The role was then passed on to the Department of Information (February 1918 until the end of the war)
June 1917 a National War Aims Committee was made. Its goals were to create propaganda that would overcome war weariness that the government feared could potentially have happened during the course of the war. Making the British government realise that propaganda was a great value, and its interest and involvement in promoting propaganda increased as the war progressed.
"Professor David Welch explores nations’ reliance on propaganda in World War One, with a focus on symbols and slogans of nationhood and patriotism." - David Welch
Read more articles about propaganda at
https://www.bl.uk/world-war-one/themes/propaganda
Read more articles about propaganda at
https://www.bl.uk/world-war-one/themes/propaganda
'Women of Britain say - “GO!"', a propaganda poster appealing to Britain’s women to ensure their men enlist.
gemrany
Purpose of German Propaganda
Propaganda is Germany took on an anti-British theme. Echoing British propaganda, but taking on its own little twist. German propaganda encouraged their people to disgust the English, driving out any English influences from their lives. The German’s used propaganda to defend themselves from the British. The anti-British propaganda extended to all aspects of life. No English was spoken, English names were changed and German greeted each other with the line “Gott strafe England” meaning “God punish England”.
Defensive German Propaganda
The Germans had no problem persuading men to join the army or other problems British and French propagandists faced. German propaganda was used to justify operations of the German Government. The argument was that Germany’s invasion of Belgium and France, according to the Schlieffen Plan, was a defensive response to the aggression of its surrounding countries British, France and Russia. The propaganda disagreed the encirclement desired destruction of German power.
Effectiveness Propaganda
The Propaganda created by the Germans differed in tone compared to the British. German propaganda tended to use elitist figures for example, intellectuals and military authorities to send its message. Therefore the German tone of propaganda did not usually connect with ordinary German worker or the non-Prussian. Although one reason why German propaganda wasn't effective compared to the Allies was that the German Government did not organise it properly.
Propaganda is Germany took on an anti-British theme. Echoing British propaganda, but taking on its own little twist. German propaganda encouraged their people to disgust the English, driving out any English influences from their lives. The German’s used propaganda to defend themselves from the British. The anti-British propaganda extended to all aspects of life. No English was spoken, English names were changed and German greeted each other with the line “Gott strafe England” meaning “God punish England”.
Defensive German Propaganda
The Germans had no problem persuading men to join the army or other problems British and French propagandists faced. German propaganda was used to justify operations of the German Government. The argument was that Germany’s invasion of Belgium and France, according to the Schlieffen Plan, was a defensive response to the aggression of its surrounding countries British, France and Russia. The propaganda disagreed the encirclement desired destruction of German power.
Effectiveness Propaganda
The Propaganda created by the Germans differed in tone compared to the British. German propaganda tended to use elitist figures for example, intellectuals and military authorities to send its message. Therefore the German tone of propaganda did not usually connect with ordinary German worker or the non-Prussian. Although one reason why German propaganda wasn't effective compared to the Allies was that the German Government did not organise it properly.
This German poster shows a German soldier, who is holding a grenade and a rifle, the background also features barbed wire fence and flames. The text on the poster encourages men to enlist with the slogan "Your Fatherland is in danger, register!"
Encouraging men to enlist, to protect their land
http://www.ww1propaganda.com/ww1-poster/dein-vaterland-ist-gefahr-melde-dich
This poster describes that war loans help the guardians of your happiness. Encouraging men to join the army to protect their families.