The Press in WW1 The Pres on the Home Front Anti-German feeling driven by the press Anti-German feeling driven by the press Population eager to believe all they read Population eager to believe all they read Press controlled by 3 news barons on the payroll of the Govt propaganda ministry. Press controlled by 3 news barons on the payroll of the Govt propaganda ministry. No room for opposite views. No room for opposite views. Govt needed the press to mould control public opinion. Govt needed the press to mould control public opinion.

The Press in WW1 John Bull – owned by Horatio Bottomley Stirred up hatred of Germans living in Britain. Stirred up hatred of Germans living in Britain. Daily Mail echoed this sentiment. Daily Mail echoed this sentiment. Persecution of Germans on a massive scale followed. Persecution of Germans on a massive scale followed. Many were interred. Many were interred. Created fears of the enemy within Created fears of the enemy within German spies were everywhere!! German spies were everywhere!!

The Press in WW1 Spy spotting a national sport Most spies known to govt, almost none were known by the public. Most spies known to govt, almost none were known by the public. Myths and legends abounded, usually made up over a pint in the pub. Myths and legends abounded, usually made up over a pint in the pub. E.g. The Angel of Mons appeared to protect British troops from German attacks. (pg 165 in text) E.g. The Angel of Mons appeared to protect British troops from German attacks. (pg 165 in text)

The Press in WW1 German atrocity stories arose initially out of the defeat of Belgium, when British military in full retreat. These were embelled by a press deperate to write about anything other than military defeat. Read Source S pp

The Press in WW1 Down-right Lies Read Sources U & V about the German Corpse factory. It was admitted in 1925 the story was a put out by he Government for propaganda purposes.

The Press in WW1 Role of the Cinema: Cartoons – crude and unsophisticated were readily accepted by a willing public as truth. Cartoons – crude and unsophisticated were readily accepted by a willing public as truth. Film from the Front – initially resisted by govt, until they saw the propaganda value. Film from the Front – initially resisted by govt, until they saw the propaganda value. The filming of the Somme, much edited, much filmed in area away from the fighting, some (e.g. trench foot scenes), totally made up. The filming of the Somme, much edited, much filmed in area away from the fighting, some (e.g. trench foot scenes), totally made up. A great success with the public. A great success with the public.

The Press in WW1 How successful British Propaganda? British public views moulded by propaganda. British public views moulded by propaganda. Only Germans they ever met were POW.s Only Germans they ever met were POW.s Answer questions: Answer questions: 1 & 2 (Skills Builder pg. 172) re treatment of German POWs. 1 & 2 (Skills Builder pg. 172) re treatment of German POWs.