Propaganda: A specific message designed to influence the opinions and/or behaviors of people. World War I Propaganda

Propaganda posters objectives Recruitment of soldiers Financing the war effort Eliminating dissent and unifying the country Conservation of resources Participation 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 APPEALS Plays on people’s emotions to promote the war effort Usually plays on fear Careful to explain the detail the action they want the viewer to carry out

NAME CALLING Uses loaded labels to encourage hatred of the enemy Labels like “commies”, “Japs,” and “Huns” reinforce negative stereotypes Hun was a derogatory term Used by the British and Americans to describe German Soldiers during the WWI.

PATRIOTIC APPEALS Uses patriotic language or symbols to appeal to people’s national pride

HALF-TRUTHS OR LIES Deception or twisting the truth May have some element of truth to make it more persuasive Blaming the enemy for complete responsibility for the war

CATCHY SLOGANS Memorable phrases to foster support “Remember the Maine!”

EVOCATIVE VISUAL SYMBOLS Symbols that appeal to people’s emotions Flags, statues, mothers and children, enemy uniforms

HUMOR OR CARICATURES Captures the viewer’s attention through the use of humor to promote the war Enemy is always the butt of the jokes

Analyze the poster 1. 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!