Today propaganda, like a gun, is a common weapon of war. It was not until World War I, however, that U.S. Government developed its first massive propaganda campaign.

President Woodrow Wilson created a Committee on Public Information. This committee mobilized citizen support for the war through patriotic speeches, poster campaigns, newspaper stories, films, and pamphlets. Abroad, the committee operated a worldwide information service, distributed films, and with the help of the U.S. Army directed propaganda materials at the enemy.

WHAT IS PROPAGANDA?

• Material designed to influence our opinions, emotions, attitudes, and behavior.

WHAT ARE THE TECHNIQUES?

• Half-truths: charts, newspapers, pictures that show correct facts, but not all the facts.
• Name-calling: calling the other side barbarians.
• Identifying a cause with a famous person or a noble idea.
• Using symbols or words that show the other side in the worst possible light.

WHY DOES THE GOVERNMENT USE PROPAGANDA DURING WAR?

• Help people identify and hate the enemy.
• Convince people that our involvement is essential.
• Encourage people to sacrifice or do their part.
• Make people believe it is their patriotic duty.
• To dehumanize the enemy.

HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF PROPAGANDA FROM WORLD WAR I (Feel free to conduct an online of your own for more images):

SUPPLEMENTAL VIDEO:

Click on this link to watch a video about propaganda in WWI (use your GAFE login): http://safari.cjuhsd.net/?a=26168&ch=9&d=01933AA

(Click on Chapter 9 if it doesn't naturally go to that section)

YOUR TASK: Create a propaganda poster for WWI.

Some ideas:

• Support the troops on the home front
• Sending items overseas
• Nationalism in America
• Not wasting food
• Troop/weapon increase
• Anger towards enemy
• Fear of enemy (on home front or abroad)