World War I Propaganda

The Use of Propaganda During World War I by Mimi deLisser

Before Reading, Take a Look At the WW1 Propaganda Gallery

What was Propaganda and Why Was it Used?

According to Google, Propaganda is “information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote or publicize a particular political cause or point of view.” During World War I, this biased information was often communicated through visuals such as posters of gruesome images or heavy topics. Propaganda is and has been used through out time due to the persuasive images that convince people to hop on the “band wagon”. Although it may sound like nothing, Propaganda in the past has been the cause of many political leaders road to regime.

        One thing’s for sure, citizens only knew what their governments wanted them to know. The government for each country involved in World War I wanted their citizens to think a certain way, to increase their hatred for the enemy and encourage them to join the army. 

All sources of media that citizens were able to see were read through thoroughly by the government, for they only wanted people to know specific information. The government also used the media, mainly newspapers, to distribute their propaganda. 

Russia's Use of Propaganda During World War I 

Russia's use of propaganda was not similar to other European countries during World War I. The Russian government didn't use propaganda for recruitment for the army (they're army was already extremely large and did not need any more fighters) nor to turn their citizens against the enemy, but to encourage the Russians to buy government bonds to fund the war. Like I mentioned earlier, the Russian army was huge and did not need a draft any more soldiers. So, more than anything, the Russian army needed ammunition to keep the large army up and running. Their army lacked weapons, equipment, food, and mobilized infantry to keep this army on the move, but did not have the wealth to endure these resources. With this concept in mind, Russia used propaganda to persuade Russian citizens to buy government bonds to fund the war at 5 1/2% return per month. 

5 1/2% was the return rate per month

A British recruitment poster

Britain's Use of Propaganda During World War I

The British were in the exact opposite position of Germans, they lacked a large number of professional troops after entering the war in 1914. Since the British were extremely weak in warfare, it was important that they recruit more soldiers to fight. The British government decided to use propaganda to spread the word about army recruitment, instead of enlisting men through a draft or by force. The British propaganda also influenced women, for they felt inspired by the men who went off to war, so in return they stepped up in their daily duties to support the country in every way possible. 

Britain's Portrayal of Germany

The British also used propaganda to turn their citizens against the enemy, the Germans. The Germans had started this propaganda fight when they depicted the British as an evil force in their propaganda. The British retaliated, and adopted the German ways of propaganda. As shown in this image to the left, the British illustrated the Germans as evil beasts to their citizens. The British used media to their advantage by placing propaganda advertisements in newspapers and posters.  For example, the newspapers spiced things up by fabricating events. One headline on a British newspaper was “Belgium child’s hand cut off by Germans” and another was “Germans crucify Canadian officer”. These headlines, as well as other Propaganda, were used by the British to strengthen the hatred of their enemy, the Germans within their country. 

Germany's Use of Propaganda During World War I

A German propaganda stamp

A German cartoon mocking the British

             Germany was among the first countries to utilize propaganda, and initially used it to spread hatred for the British. They depicted the British as monsters, not humans to create hostile feelings among the German citizens. These messages were spread through newspapers, posters, and even postal stamps. When word got back to the British that the Germans were referring them as monsters in their propaganda, the British quickly reciprocated and took up the German ways of Propaganda.

The United States' Use of Propaganda During World War I

Even though the United States was the last country to participate in World War I, they were extremely motivated to persuade their people to participate in the war. The United States mainly used propaganda to urge men to join the army and fight for their country. These pieces motivating propaganda often depicted heroic images, so men thought that if they went to fight that after the war they'd be considered heroes. 

Propaganda artists even used women and children as a symbol to encourage men to fight for the United States, who are depicted beckoning the men to join the army. The United States propaganda used methods similar to Germany, by illustrating the enemy as "bloodthirsty monsters." These monsters were shown in propaganda attacking American citizens, which provoked men to fight in the war. 

The United States did not only use propaganda for recruiting purposes, but also encouraged people to support the war by buying war bonds issued by the government. Other posters asked for donations to the armies, such as clothing and food. 

Propaganda Today

Even though propaganda was very influential during World War I in the 1900s, this method of manipulation still exists today. Most recently, Isis has released an excerpt from their recruiting video. The video depicts their soldiers as being heroic and looking like action movie stars, and tries to encourage young people to come work with them. Take a look at this 5 minute clip: 

Take a Look At This Article About Isis' New Film "Flames of War"

Also Take a Look At This New Exhibit In Turkey About WW1 Propaganda

Works Cited

https://worldwaripropaganda.wordpress.com

http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/propaganda_and_world_war_one.htm

http://www.ww1propaganda.com