Propaganda Throughout the War

The Home Front, Conscription Crisis, Role of Women & Suffrage, Enemy

Aliens

What is Propaganda?

• It is the systematic spreading of ideas to influence people

• It supports a direct cause or point of view

• It can help or harm a cause with information or rumours

How Was it Used?

• At this time, almost exclusively through poster – No TV and few people had radios

• Posters were EVERYWHERE

Recruitment

•As recruitment got more difficult shame was a powerful tool

•Would show only the good side of being a soldier

Conscription

What Do You Notice?Table 1. Canadian Casualties and Enlistments in 1917

Month Casualties New EnlistmentsJanuary 4 396 9 194February 1 250 6 809

March 6 161 6 640April 13 477 5 530May 13 457 6 407June 7 931 6 348July 7 906 3 882

August 13 232 3 117September 10 990 3 588

October 5 929 4 884November 30 741 4 019December 7 476 3 921

TOTAL 122 946 64 339

What is Conscription?

• By 1917 the war was consting Canada $1 million a day and no one was volunteering.

• Canada’s answer was Conscription, also known as the Draft. Conscription is military service by all men of a certain age. It is required by law.

• The Canadian government introduced the idea in 1917.

Support for Conscription

• French-Canadians said “No.” To the French-Canadians, Canada was fighting to protect England. This was not a French war.

• Farmers said “No.” Their sons were needed to help harvest the crops to feed the soldiers.

• Labour unionists said “No.” They needed workers to operate the machines making the war equipment.

The Political Side• PM Borden needed votes to win

the next election.

• Women in Canada in 1917 could not vote. Women were not persons under Canadian law.

• The Government of Canada had to call an election over the issue of conscription.

Important New LawsThe Military Voters Act•This allowed soldiers overseas to vote•If Borden promised them help they were likely to vote for him

The Wartime Elections Act•This allowed many (but not all) women to vote•If they had a family member serving they were able to vote

The Result

• Borden won the election and conscription was introduced to Canada.

• About 120,000 were conscripted and only 45,000 went to war

• The divide between French and English Canada became more bitter.

• The opportunity for all women to vote came soon after.

The Home Front

Victory Bonds

• By 1917 the war was costing the government over $1 million a day

• A Victory Bond was a personal loan to the government

• Could be redeemed with interest after the war

• In 1915, $100 million worth was purchased

Canadian Patriotic Fund• Wives and families of

soldiers suffered financially

• This Fund was to provide support to those dependants for necessities

• People received depended on the size of family and the soldiers rank

Increased Production

• Exports increased to help with food and products needed for war

• A great boost to the economy (but also led to Profiteering)

Women and Propaganda

Women at Home• Most women worked in

munitions factories at skilled jobs. They created guns, shells, airplanes, etc.

• Conditions often difficult and dangerous.

• Over 30,000 women worked in these factories.

• Other jobs included bus/streetcar drivers, office managers, police work, other civil service jobs, farmers – ALL jobs that typically belonged to men.

• Many other women volunteered with the Red Cross and other organizations, or rolled bandages and knitted socks.

Women in the War• Over 3000 women

became nurses and ambulance drivers.

• Many were very close to the front-line trenches.

• These women were known as “Bluebirds” because of their blue outfits.

• 46 Bluebirds lost their lives.

Overall Impact

• Women’s actions during this time were an important step in women’s movement.

• Suffrage movement gained new strength in Canada – suffrage is the right to vote for women.

Tricks of Propaganda

Glittering Generality

• Using words that sound great but don’t really mean anything (The People, Democracy, etc)

Colouring

• Using ‘big’ words or names to ‘colour’ an idea, or make it more appealing (The Prime Minister Needs You)

Masking

• Hiding evils in sheep’s clothing – Hiding the real issue or problem

• Using national symbols to make isms (nationalism, patriotism, etc) more legitimate

Name Calling• Giving ideas and

‘others’ bad labels (The Hun, Fritz, etc)

• Helps incite blind hate and a false sense of patriotism or duty

• Often rooted in racism and unfounded beliefs

Herd Instincts

• Uses shame and pressure to achieve a goal

• “Everyone else is joining, why not you?”

Card Stacking

• Only giving one side of the story to blind people from the truth or an alternate reality

Propaganda Analysis Activity

With your partner(s) analyze the Propaganda Poster Mr. Shields gives you and answer the following questions. Be prepared to discuss and elaborate to the class!

1. What is the purpose of this poster? What do they want?2. List the images used. Why are they specifically used to achieve

what the poster is asking for?3. Which Tricks of Propaganda are they using. Explain how they

are or are not effective.4. It is World War One and you are walking down sunny Kent

Street and see this poster. Would it be effective on you specifically? Explain.