Propaganda
From the beginning to end of WW1, propaganda was used as a weapon to shape international opinions of war. Propaganda included newspapers, books and cartoons that were produced in an attempt to influence societies.
A large amount of resources were devoted to producing propaganda to justify the actions of states, and build support for an army.
Purposes of propaganda
- attack opponents of the war
- gain support
- to justify an army's position
- create a hatred of the enemy
- maintain morale as casualties increased
A large amount of resources were devoted to producing propaganda to justify the actions of states, and build support for an army.
Purposes of propaganda
- attack opponents of the war
- gain support
- to justify an army's position
- create a hatred of the enemy
- maintain morale as casualties increased
Propaganda in Britain
Propaganda was used throughout the war to make society think in a certain manner. During the beginning of the war, posters were printed to make the army look excited, and make men and women think it was their duty to support and take part in the war.
Many posters created guilt, aimed at men who had not signed up for the war due to conscientious objectors and many to communicate the 'bad things' Germans had done. The Government knew this posters would be provocative and ignite patriotism. Although many of these posters were untrue, their objective was achieved.
Lord Kitchener's propaganda campaign of 1914, is one of the most historic and memorable campaigns for recruitment. His poster saw thousands of men sign up for the army, and created a strong hate for the Germans.
Many posters created guilt, aimed at men who had not signed up for the war due to conscientious objectors and many to communicate the 'bad things' Germans had done. The Government knew this posters would be provocative and ignite patriotism. Although many of these posters were untrue, their objective was achieved.
Lord Kitchener's propaganda campaign of 1914, is one of the most historic and memorable campaigns for recruitment. His poster saw thousands of men sign up for the army, and created a strong hate for the Germans.
Different government agencies throughout the course of the war were responsible for propaganda. Towards the end of the war, when war-weariness was becoming prominent, the British government introduced the National War Aims Committee. This committee worked closely with censorship agencies. Propaganda was on display on post cards, newspapers, sign posts, and movies. It quickly became obvious in everyday life throughout the war.
British propaganda made effective use of the mistakes and actions of Germany. In 1916, an independent German artist created a number of medals in memory of the sinking of the Lusitania. The medals focused on justifying the actions of Germany as it alleged that the passenger liner had been carrying weapons for Allied forces, even though the Germans killed over 1000 people. The medal was found by British agents and copies were made and circulated to highlight the ‘barbarity’ of the enemy.
British propaganda, at the end of the war proved to be effective, as accepted by General Erich Ludendorff, German Chief of Staff. British propaganda had even convinced the German population of their wrongdoings and put neutral countries into a moral blockage against Germany.
Interesting fact: German Shepherd dogs became known as 'Alsatians' in 1919 because people didn't want to own dogs they thought were German.The English Kennel Club didn't reinstate 'German Shepherd' as an official name until 1977.
PROPAGANDA IN GERMANY
Germany did not have as much propaganda as other countries, yet they still send out posters and news urging men to go to war as well as to buy war bonds. Posters also aimed to promote morale, and positive emotions for their government and the war effort. Although, due to their long history of conscription, recruitment propaganda was not as obvious in Germany as it was in Britain.
Early German propaganda, similar to that of Britain, took on a defensive tone against their enemy and encouraged hatred for them. The propaganda presented the German soldiers as heroes as they defended their 'Fatherland' and the future of Germany.
Early German propaganda, similar to that of Britain, took on a defensive tone against their enemy and encouraged hatred for them. The propaganda presented the German soldiers as heroes as they defended their 'Fatherland' and the future of Germany.
German propaganda had the main task of justifying the actions of Germany in the war, especially in regard to invading neutral Belgium. Germany used propaganda to communicate their invasion of Belgium to be a defensive response to aggression shown from the triple entente.
The German government failed, unlike Britain, to create a Ministry of Propaganda, to rally public support. Their organisation was lacking. Germans in their propaganda accused Belgium priests of shooting soldiers, the British soldiers using horrible methods of warfare and Belgian civilians mutilating the bodies of German soldiers.
German propaganda was overt, condescending and coercive. German propaganda failed to create social unity and failed to impress.
Interesting fact: When Germans met each they were expected to say the greeting 'Gott strafe England.' ('God punish England')
The German government failed, unlike Britain, to create a Ministry of Propaganda, to rally public support. Their organisation was lacking. Germans in their propaganda accused Belgium priests of shooting soldiers, the British soldiers using horrible methods of warfare and Belgian civilians mutilating the bodies of German soldiers.
German propaganda was overt, condescending and coercive. German propaganda failed to create social unity and failed to impress.
Interesting fact: When Germans met each they were expected to say the greeting 'Gott strafe England.' ('God punish England')
Comparison of the effectiveness of british and german propaganda
'German propaganda to neutrals was, in general, less efficient than British. The Germans were not so effective at simplifying the issues of the war into right against wrong, and failed to establish any coordinated machine of propaganda. They were also put to particular disadvantage when, on 15th August 1914, the Allies cut the transatlantic cable, thus cutting off Germany’s main line of communication to America. Germany’s main propaganda effort was through press conferences organized by the army and a press service which reported military operations and was responsible for censorship and control of information from the front. Like Britain, Germany failed to realize that in a long war enthusiasm for fighting would wane, but she failed to seize the initiative, not only in counteracting Allied propaganda to neutrals about German war guilt, but also in exploiting in the simplest terms, using simple images, those events which could denigrate* the enemy.'
Haste, C: Keep the Home Fires Burning. Propaganda in the First World War. London: Rogers, Coleridge and White 1979 p39 in Ringer, R.E. 2 Unit Modern History, Permagon 1991
Haste, C: Keep the Home Fires Burning. Propaganda in the First World War. London: Rogers, Coleridge and White 1979 p39 in Ringer, R.E. 2 Unit Modern History, Permagon 1991