Fighting WWI at HomePropaganda!

Agenda 3/5/2012

Bell WorkChapter 24 check-in Intro to propagandaPropaganda Poster Project!Poster Project as part of a larger Project

Bell Work!In 1917 Progressive Senator Hiram Johnson is reported to have said about US entry into WWI that:

“the first casualty when war comes is truth."

What do you think Senator Johnson meant by this? Do you agree with his sentiment? In what ways might the truth be jeopardized by war?  

What is Propaganda?

Is this Propaganda?

Is this Propaganda?

What About This?

Common Objectives of Wartime Propaganda

1. Recruitment of soldiers, either through a draft or voluntary enlistment

2. Financing the war effort through the sale of war bonds or new taxes

3. Eliminating dissent and unifying the country behind the war effort

4. Conservation of resources necessary to wage war

5. Participation in home front organizations to support the war effort

Common Tools Used in Wartime Propaganda

1. Demonization: Portraying the enemy as evil, menacing, murderous, and aggressive.

2. Emotional Appeals: Play on emotions to promote the war effort (pride, patriotism, morality, etc.)

3. Name Calling: Use of loaded labels to encourage hatred (commies, Huns, Japs, etc.)

4. Patriotic Appeals: Use of patriotic language or images to appeal to national pride.

5. Half-Truths or Lies: Deception or twisting the truth. For example, placing complete blame for the war on Germany.

6. Catchy Slogans: “Hope,” “Remember the Alamo,” “Believe in America”

7. Evocative Visual Symbols: symbols that appeal to emotion like flags, women and children, or enemy uniforms.

8. Humor or Caricatures: Using the enemy as the butt of a joke

What is this about?

Now it’s Your Turn1. Pick an American perspective that we have looked at (soldiers,

pacifists, African American Migrants or leaders, American families, Wobblies, Four Minute Man, female factory worker, etc.) so far in our study of WWI.

2. Create a WWI era propaganda poster from the perspective of this group

Your poster should include:-A persuasive headline (“Halt the Huns!)-A catchy slogan that tells viewer what you think they should do

to support or oppose the war.-Evocative images and graphics that appeal to the viewers

emotions-And a credit that clearly identifies the group you are

representing.

WWI War Journal1. Using the same perspective that you are using in your propaganda

poster, create a character in which you will tell the story of WWI (eg. Joe Plimpton the Pacifist).

2. Once you have chosen your perspective and character, revisit your notes, text, etc. to learn about how major events of WWI might have affected your character.

3. Construct a four entry “War Journal” that tells the story of your character throughout the course of WWI.

4. One of your four entries can be the poster you are developing5. The other entries should be around one hand written page in length

and should include:- a date and a location from which you are writing-each entry should address at least one event that we have

looked at and howit affected your character (e.g. sinking of the Lusitania,

declaration of war, assassination of Franz Ferdinand, Espionage and Sedition Acts,

etc.)*While it is important that your entries demonstrate your understanding of the details and events of WWI, it is equally important for you to show the reader what your character is thinking and feeling during the course of the war.