Propaganda

Terms Ideology: A set of ideas and beliefs that often seem natural, and are instilled in citizens unconsciously through the dominant class. Indoctrination: The process of inculcating ideas and beliefs without critical reflection or examination. Control: To exercise authoritative or dominating influence over an individual or group. Consent: To express willingness, or to comply.

What is Propaganda? Propaganda is a form of communication that is aimed at influencing the attitudes and perceptions of a community toward a cause or position. War propaganda glorifies military indoctrination as the highest form of patriotism while simultaneously demonizing the enemies of the state.

War Propaganda Modern governments employ propaganda to incite public outcries for war in order to advance their agendas in foreign policy. Nazi Germany: The Arian Race US invasion of Vietnam: Freeing the people of Vietnam and the world of Communism Rwanda: Dehumanization of fellow citizens, “Cockroaches” Canada in Afghanistan: Fighting Terrorism and maintaining global and domestic security

WWI War Propaganda H.G Wells, Rudyard Kipling, Conan Doyle were influential in forming or changing public opinion. British authors support Britain in their war effort, creating hysteria around the Hun enemy. Created pamphlets dehumanizing the Germans, and their aggressive militarism.

The German Hun The “German Hun” was a perpetuated caricature among the British and French propagandists. Demonized beyond human recognition, as ape like soldiers who attacked defenseless women and children. Similar to the extremist Hutus description of the Tutsis as “Cockroaches”

Mythology 1915, the French propaganda unit produce a picture of a Belgian baby without hands claiming the “Hun” chopped them off, and in some accounts claiming they later ate them. Creates visceral reaction and hysteria. Enemy’s actions are so inhuman that cannot be negotiated with through diplomatic channels. “Either your with us or with the terrorists”.

War Fever Journalist George Seldes: “ It wasn’t until December 1918, when I came to Coblenz with the American Army that I realized how fooled I had been by all that poisonous propaganda” Rudyard Kipling: “If any question why we died, tell them, because their fathers lied” Andersen, 2006).

Battle of the Somme July 1 st – November, British: 420,000 killed French: 200,00 killed Germans: Over 500,000 killed First day of attack British lose nearly 60,000 men Media coverage inaccurate to say the least

Failure of the Media Journalists were relied on official dispatches or greatly reduced the horrifying truth. Many journalists felt it was their duty to keep moral high in the home front. After the British lose 60,000 men on the first day, Philip Gibbs reports: “It is, on balance, a good day for England and France. It is a day of promise in this war” (Andersen, p.12, 2006).