1. Propaganda Throughout the War
The Home Front, Conscription Crisis, Role of Women & Suffrage, Enemy Aliens

2. What is Propaganda?
It is the systematic spreading of ideas to influence people
It supports a direct cause or point of view
It can help or harm a cause with information or rumours

3. How Was it Used?
At this time, almost exclusively through poster – No TV and few people had radios
Posters were EVERYWHERE

4. Recruitment
As recruitment got more difficult shame was a powerful tool
Would show only the good side of being a soldier

5. Conscription

6. What Do You Notice. Table 1
What Do You Notice? Table 1. Canadian Casualties and Enlistments in 1917
Month
Casualties
New Enlistments
January
4 396
9 194
February
1 250
6 809
March
6 161
6 640
April
13 477
5 530
May
13 457
6 407
June
7 931
6 348
July
7 906
3 882
August
13 232
3 117
September
10 990
3 588
October
5 929
4 884
November
30 741
4 019
December
7 476
3 921
TOTAL
64 339

7. What is Conscription?
By 1917 the war was consting Canada $1 million a day and no one was volunteering.
Canada’s answer was Conscription, also known as the Draft. Conscription is military service by all men of a certain age. It is required by law.
The Canadian government introduced the idea in 1917.

8. Support for Conscription
French-Canadians said “No.” To the French-Canadians, Canada was fighting to protect England. This was not a French war.
Farmers said “No.” Their sons were needed to help harvest the crops to feed the soldiers.
Labour unionists said “No.” They needed workers to operate the machines making the war equipment.

9. The Political Side PM Borden needed votes to win the next election.
Women in Canada in 1917 could not vote. Women were not persons under Canadian law.
The Government of Canada had to call an election over the issue of conscription.

10. Important New Laws The Military Voters Act
This allowed soldiers overseas to vote
If Borden promised them help they were likely to vote for him
The Wartime Elections Act
This allowed many (but not all) women to vote
If they had a family member serving they were able to vote

11. The Result
Borden won the election and conscription was introduced to Canada.
About 120,000 were conscripted and only 45,000 went to war
The divide between French and English Canada became more bitter.
The opportunity for all women to vote came soon after.

12. The Home Front

13. Victory Bonds
By 1917 the war was costing the government over $1 million a day
A Victory Bond was a personal loan to the government
Could be redeemed with interest after the war
In 1915, $100 million worth was purchased

14. Canadian Patriotic Fund
Wives and families of soldiers suffered financially
This Fund was to provide support to those dependants for necessities
People received depended on the size of family and the soldiers rank

15. Increased Production
Exports increased to help with food and products needed for war
A great boost to the economy (but also led to Profiteering)

17. Women and Propaganda

18. Women at Home
Most women worked in munitions factories at skilled jobs. They created guns, shells, airplanes, etc.
Conditions often difficult and dangerous.
Over 30,000 women worked in these factories.

19. Other jobs included bus/streetcar drivers, office managers, police work, other civil service jobs, farmers – ALL jobs that typically belonged to men.
Many other women volunteered with the Red Cross and other organizations, or rolled bandages and knitted socks.

20. Women in the War Over 3000 women became nurses and ambulance drivers.
Many were very close to the front-line trenches.
These women were known as “Bluebirds” because of their blue outfits.
46 Bluebirds lost their lives.

21. Overall Impact
Women’s actions during this time were an important step in women’s movement.
Suffrage movement gained new strength in Canada – suffrage is the right to vote for women.

22. Tricks of Propaganda Glittering Generality
Using words that sound great but don’t really mean anything (The People, Democracy, etc)

23. Colouring
Using ‘big’ words or names to ‘colour’ an idea, or make it more appealing (The Prime Minister Needs You)

24. Masking
Hiding evils in sheep’s clothing – Hiding the real issue or problem
Using national symbols to make isms (nationalism, patriotism, etc) more legitimate

25. Name Calling
Giving ideas and ‘others’ bad labels (The Hun, Fritz, etc)
Helps incite blind hate and a false sense of patriotism or duty
Often rooted in racism and unfounded beliefs

26. Herd Instincts Uses shame and pressure to achieve a goal
“Everyone else is joining, why not you?”

27. Card Stacking
Only giving one side of the story to blind people from the truth or an alternate reality

29. Propaganda Analysis Activity
With your partner(s) analyze the Propaganda Poster Mr. Shields gives you and answer the following questions. Be prepared to discuss and elaborate to the class!
What is the purpose of this poster? What do they want?
List the images used. Why are they specifically used to achieve what the poster is asking for?
Which Tricks of Propaganda are they using. Explain how they are or are not effective.
It is World War One and you are walking down sunny Kent Street and see this poster. Would it be effective on you specifically? Explain.