An Example of Historical Propaganda THE BOSTON MASSACRE An Example of Historical Propaganda

What is a massacre? The dictionary defines a “massacre” as: The act or an instance of killing a large number of humans indiscriminately and cruelly.

What was the Boston Massacre? Here is a drawing of the massacre –as drawn by Paul Revere

The Colonial Perspective Take another look at the engraving: Can you find the British? Can you find the Colonists? Who has the guns? Which group is dying? Who is at fault? Who is innocent? How do you know?

Why did Paul Revere create this picture? Who does he want you to think are the bad guys? Who does he want you to think are the good guys? How did he do this?

Is this the true story? What do you think?

So what really happened? It was 8 o’clock at night on Monday, March 5, 1770. Private Hugh White stood guard at the Custom House on King Street in Boston.

So what really happened? A British officer, a captain, walked by the sentry post where Private White was standing guard. A teenager by the name of Edward Garrick, a helper in a barber shop, yelled to the captain that he had not paid his barber bill. He was ignored by the captain but not by Private White.

So what really happened? Private White left his post and told Edward Garrick that the captain was a gentleman and paid all of his bills. Garrick responded that there were no gentlemen in the British Army. Private White hit Edward Garrick with the butt of his rifle.

So what really happened? Garrick returned with other teenage men. They began to taunt Private White. Garrick shouted, “Lousy rascal!” and “. . . rascally scoundrel lobster!” The other teenagers joined in the shouting. Men from the docks heard the shouting and gathered around. There were now at least 50 men surrounding Private White. As the crowd grew the shouting continued, “Kill the soldier!” “Kill the . . . coward, kill him, knock him down!”

So what really happened? The crowd made snowballs with stones and jagged-edged clamshells inside. Private White climbed the Customs House steps trying to get away from the mob. No one was inside, so he shouted “Turn out the main guard!” Seven soldiers in the barracks nearby, led by Captain Thomas Pearson, came running to the Customs House.

So what really happened? The commotion was heard by men in a nearby tavern where sailors had gathered. A black dock worker by the name of Crispus Attucks left the tavern with 30 sailors - each armed with a club.

So what really happened? The group of sailors from the tavern and the group of soldiers from the barracks reached Private White at about the same time. The soldiers joined Private White and faced the crowd, which was now made up of over 300 people. The crowd yelled at the soldiers, “Why do you not fire? . . . you dare not fire!” This wasn’t bravery. The crowd knew that the soldiers could not shoot unless ordered to by the civilian government. If they did they could be hanged.

So what really happened? Captain Preston tried to reason with the crowd. Crispus Attucks hit him in the arm with his club. Attucks hit another soldier over the head knocking him to the ground. The crowd continued to become more and more threatening. The taunting and shouting continued. “Kill the lobsters!” “Kill them!”

So what really happened? The soldiers, out of fear for their lives, fired their guns. It was not under order, and it was not coordinated. Five men were dead or dying. Crispus Attucks was dead-shot twice.

So, now that you know the facts: Is Paul Revere’s drawing accurate? Does it agree with the facts? Why or why not?

We call this: PROPAGANDA Material disseminated by the advocates or opponents of a doctrine or cause That’s a mouthful – what does it really mean?

PROPAGANDA Using communication techniques to create an emotion. This emotion is meant to make you feel a certain way about someone or something.

Propaganda Techniques There are many different techniques that people use to make you feel different emotions. Here are some of the more common techniques that you will see in advertisements:

Glittering Generalities Using “virtue” words. It is the opposite of name calling. These ads link a person or an idea to a positive symbol. What are the positive symbols in this example?

Testimonial A public figure or celebrity promotes or endorses a product or policy. Who is the celebrity? What is he endorsing?

Plain Folks An attempt to convince the audience that a prominent person and his ideas are “of the people”. Who is the prominent person? How is he “of the people”?

Bandwagon Tells you that everyone else is doing it and so should you. Can you think of any other bandwagon advertisements you have seen?

Fear Plays on the fears of the audience. Warns them that disaster will result if they do not follow a particular course of action. This is an ad from World War II. Who are we supposed to fear? What should we do?

Get the right diapers! Stay dry! Humor Get the right diapers! Stay dry!

Common Propaganda Techniques Glittering Generalities Testimonial Plain Folks Bandwagon Fear Humor

Which technique did Paul Revere use? Glittering Generalities Testimonial Plain Folks Bandwagon Fear Humor What was his purpose?