Analyzing World War I Propaganda Posters

Pair-Share Do you agree or disagree with the following statements Pair-Share Do you agree or disagree with the following statements? Why or why not? “A government should not mobilize an army of anger, military leaders should not provoke a war of wrath” (Sun Tzu, The Art of War) It is the role of wives and children to encourage their husbands, sons and brothers to fight and perhaps die for one’s country. You should not hide behind the shield of non-violence when innocent people are being slaughtered. ALL political agendas, personal causes, ethnic rivalries take second place to winning the war. Universal military conscription (the Draft) of all young men is the fairest way to supply the man power for a nation’s war effort. “Patriotism based on hatred kills, patriotism based on love gives life.” (Gandhi) The government should tax, borrow, ration, prevent strikes, and set prices in order to pay for the costs of war. Public opinion must be controlled through propaganda and censorship. Individual liberties may be suspended for the war effort.

CA Standard:10.5.1 Analyze the arguments for entering into war presented by leaders from all sides of the Great War and the role of political and economic rivalries, ethnic and ideological conflicts, domestic discontent and disorder, and propaganda and nationalism in mobilizing the civilian population in support of "total war."

Objective Students will be able to understand propaganda and nationalism in mobilizing the civilian population in support of "total war“ by analyzing propaganda posters.

Pair-Share What is “TOTAL WAR”? “a war in which every available weapon is used and the nation's full financial resources are devoted “ “military conflict in which the contenders are willing to make any sacrifice in lives and other resources to obtain a complete victory”

The First World War was the first global war that used “Total War”. People around the world focused all of their energies on winning the war. 6

All aspects of life were related to the war effort. Men were encouraged to join the fight. Factories focused on supplying war materials. 7

While the men left the factories to fight the war, women were encouraged to replace them at the work place. Many women were also encouraged to join women’s branches of the military or the Red Cross. 8

Propaganda was used to encourage support for the war. 9

Propaganda – What is it? Propaganda is a persuasive technique used to spread information to help or hurt a cause. Governments use propaganda to support “total war” in a country. 10

Check for Understanding How did propaganda work to convince people to help in the war effort?

Common Objective of Propaganda 1. Unify the people of a country to support a war – eliminate any opposition 2. Convince people to save resources like food, oil, steel – necessary to fight a war 3. Recruit soldiers 4. To persuade people to participate in home-front organizations to support the war effort

Tools Used in Propaganda Demonization Name Calling Patriotic Symbols Catchy Slogans Appeal to Fear

Demonization This tool convinces people to hate the enemy by depicting them as evil. The enemy may be portrayed as a scary creature or the devil himself. This tool becomes more powerful when the enemy can be blamed for committing atrocities against women and children.

Name Calling This tool uses loaded labels to encourage hatred of the enemy. Labels like “Japs” and “Huns” reinforce negative stereotypes and help to demonize the enemy.

Patriotic Symbols This tool is used to promote nationalism within a country. Common symbols or slogans are used to build national pride. 16

Catchy Slogans This tool involves using memorable phrases to encourage support for the war. For example, “Remember the Alamo!”

Appeal to Fear Appeal to Fear builds support by creating fear in population. Disaster will result if you do not follow a specific course of action. 18

Propaganda Analysis Pair Activity

Directions Step 1: Describe what you see in the poster. Step 2: Check off the propaganda tools used in the poster. Step 3: Describe the goal(s) of the poster related to “total war” Let’s complete one together…

Example Step 1: Describe what you see in the poster. Step 2: Check off the propaganda tools used in the poster. Step 3: Describe the goal(s) of the poster related to “total war”

#1 Step 1: Describe what you see in the poster. Step 2: Check off the propaganda tools used in the poster. Step 3: Describe the goal(s) of the poster related to “total war”

#2 Step 1: Describe what you see in the poster. Step 2: Check off the propaganda tools used in the poster. Step 3: Describe the goal(s) of the poster related to “total war”

#3 Step 1: Describe what you see in the poster. Step 2: Check off the propaganda tools used in the poster. Step 3: Describe the goal(s) of the poster related to “total war”

#4 Step 1: Describe what you see in the poster. Step 2: Check off the propaganda tools used in the poster. Step 3: Describe the goal(s) of the poster related to “total war”

#5 Step 1: Describe what you see in the poster. Step 2: Check off the propaganda tools used in the poster. Step 3: Describe the goal(s) of the poster related to “total war”

#6 Step 1: Describe what you see in the poster. Step 2: Check off the propaganda tools used in the poster. Step 3: Describe the goal(s) of the poster related to “total war”

#7 Step 1: Describe what you see in the poster. Step 2: Check off the propaganda tools used in the poster. Step 3: Describe the goal(s) of the poster related to “total war”

#8 Step 1: Describe what you see in the poster. Step 2: Check off the propaganda tools used in the poster. Step 3: Describe the goal(s) of the poster related to “total war”

Wrap-Up Discussion What were some of the most common goals used in the propaganda posters? What were some of the most common tools used? Which propaganda poster do you think was the most persuasive? Why? To what extent does propaganda appeal to emotions and not reason?