World War One Propaganda Posters

Propaganda > Definition: information, ideas, or rumours deliberately spread widely to help or harm a person, group, movement, nation, etc. Propaganda was used by all nations during WW1 to persuade people to support the war. Propaganda appeared in a variety of media: films, magazines articles, radio programs, political speeches and posters. WW1 propaganda was very nationalist in nature. WW1 propaganda was often very racist! Examples: Join the army, buy savings bonds, use less fuel, eat less meat, and support the government in whatever way necessary.

Some things to think about… Propaganda is not fact Propaganda is meant to provoke a reaction in the viewer Propaganda is designed to emphasize emotion over rational thinking Propaganda is created to manipulate the audience to act in a way that’s beneficial to those who are dispersing it Propaganda still exists today!

Canadian Propaganda

Great Britain

Australia

France

“Attack on all fronts!”

“Big Guns of the Home Front”

Germany

Russia (Enemy at the gates!)

“Woman do their part”

“The European thieves are caught red-handed”

“I wish to be Napoleon.” > “Well, we will help”

“The enemy of the human race”

United States

Current Day Propaganda

1972

WWI Propaganda Poster Assignment * Propaganda is the spreading of ideas to promote a cause or damage an opposing cause. Propaganda often includes outright lies or distortions of the truth in order to promote ideas. In addition, propaganda often appeals to people’s emotions. Usually, propaganda posters have an obvious meaning and/or message. During WWI, both sides waged a propaganda war. * Individually, you are going to create a propaganda poster and write a 1 page explanation (2-3 paragraphs) of how the poster meets the requirements for propaganda. You can choose from one of the following ideas to create your poster, or you can create your own idea: 1. To encourage men to enlist. 2. To encourage women to become nurses overseas. 3. To convince people to support the war efforts financially. 4. To encourage people to preserve food and war supplies. 5. To encourage wartime production.

* The WWI poster should be presented on an A3 piece of paper supplied by the teacher. Make sure to use a clear slogan to get your message across. Also, make sure to use easily recognizable symbols to emphasize your point. Your poster should be convincing. * On a separate sheet of paper write a 1pg. explanation about the poster. The explanation should include the answers to the following questions: 1. What are the main ideas of your topic? 2. What is the main idea of the poster? 3. What do the symbols used in the poster represent? 4. How does this poster qualify as propaganda?

* MARKS OFF FOR LATE ASSIGNMENTS!! DUE ON THURSDAY!!! * MARKS OFF FOR LATE ASSIGNMENTS!!

Halifax Explosion (1917)

BEFORE

AFTER

Vladimir LENIN Tsar Nicholas II