1. Bending the Truth During the War Effort
WWI Propaganda
Bending the Truth During the War Effort

2. What is propaganda?
Information or material spread to advance a cause, or damage an opponent’s cause

3. How are propaganda and advertising similar?
Similar Purpose:
Both want you to get you to take some type of action
Advertising – to get people to buy a product or use a service
Propaganda – to get people to think, act, or feel a particular way
Similar tools: slogans, humor, emotional images and language, bandwagon

4. Objectives of Wartime Propaganda
Recruitment of Soldiers
Financing the War effort
Unifying the country behind the war
Conservation of resources needed for war
Participation in home-front efforts

5. Tools used in Wartime Propaganda
Catchy Slogans – memorable slogans used to gain support

6. Humor or Caricatures
Using humor to capture attention

7. Bandwagon
Everyone is doing it, you don’t want to be left out

8. Half Truth’s or Lies
Twisting the truth or deception

9. Emotional Appeals or Symbols
Playing on peoples emotions, especially fear, and a sense of duty

10. Patriotic Appeals
Using patriotic symbols or language

11. Name Calling
Using labels to encourage hatred of the enemy

12. Demonization
Portraying the enemy as evil or beastly

13. Practice
1. What propaganda objective is this poster designed to achieve?
2. What propaganda tools are used in the poster? Explain.

14. Check Your Answers Propaganda Objective: Financing the war
Propaganda Objectives
Humor/Caricature – Kaiser in a humorous pose about to get stepped on
Catchy Slogan: Stamp out the Kaiser
Patriotic Symbols – Uncle Sam

15. Procedures for Activity
Each group will evaluate 3 posters
Appoint a spokesperson to ask questions
Identify the propaganda objectives and tools
Record your answers on the Notes on WWI handout
Be sure to explain your reasoning
You will have 15 minutes for this activity
If you finish early, your spokesperson may ask for additional posters
Be prepared to present one of your posters to the class

16. Exit Slip
1. What propaganda objective is this poster designed to achieve?
2. What propaganda tools are used in the poster? Explain.