Propaganda:A specific message designed to influence the opinions and/or

behaviors of people.

World War I Propaganda

Propaganda posters objectives Recruitment of soldiersFinancing the war effortEliminating dissent and unifying the

countryConservation of resourcesParticipation in home-front organizations

What tools are used to

create propoganda?

DEMONIZATION

Portraying the enemy as purely evil, menacing, murderous, and aggressive

Removes all confusion about who the public should hate

More powerful when committing atrocities against women and children

EMOTIONAL APPEALSPlays on people’s emotions to promote the

war effortUsually plays on fearCareful to explain the detail the action they

want the viewer to carry out

NAME CALLINGUses loaded labels to encourage hatred of

the enemyLabels like “commies”, “Japs,” and “Huns”

reinforce negative stereotypesHun was a derogatory termUsed by the British and Americans to describe GermanSoldiers during the WWI.

PATRIOTIC APPEALSUses patriotic language or symbols to

appeal to people’s national pride

HALF-TRUTHS OR LIESDeception or twisting the truthMay have some element of truth to make it

more persuasiveBlaming the enemy for complete

responsibility for the war

CATCHY SLOGANSMemorable phrases to foster support“Remember the Maine!”

EVOCATIVE VISUAL SYMBOLSSymbols that appeal to people’s emotionsFlags, statues, mothers and children,

enemy uniforms

HUMOR OR CARICATURESCaptures the viewer’s attention through the

use of humor to promote the warEnemy is always the butt of the jokes

Analyze the poster1. What is the topic of the

poster?2. Are there any symbols

that help us conclude who created the poster?

3. What is the intent/purpose of the poster?

4. How does the poster attempt to fulfill its purpose?

5. What historical information do you need to know to understand the poster?

6. Are there any items of note to make?

What do these have in common?Can we make generalizations?

Encouraging civilians to conserve food

- Bright Colors- Asking men, woman and children to help out

How was the war presented at home? Using propaganda posters as our inroad....

Systematic analysis of this propaganda poster

Focus: The images, the text and language used, the font, the colours and the layout.

Font grabs you- bold and commanding. Underlining the command adds to urgency of demand

Women- traditional family image- waiting at home for their men- encouraging them- glorifying their heroic deeds- men protecting their family- gives men sense of being the ‘protector’- noble/ valiant implications.

Colors- grey skies represent danger and despair- emphasising the heroic nature of the soldiers. Only hope comes from ray of yellow color- the home, where proud families wait and hope and have high expectation of their ‘protectors’/ saviours.

Glamorised

Now you are going to create your own propaganda poster!