Propaganda & Censorship

Propaganda & Censorship CHANGING ATTITUDES Early attitudes among civilians were linked to enthusiasm… war seen as a natural part of human evolution (Social Darwinism) to prove cultural superiority glorious adventure chance to develop virtues of courage & sacrifice war expected to be over by Christmas

Propaganda & Censorship CHANGING ATTITUDES However, as the war dragged on a weariness set in… wasteful & senseless sacrifice grief at casualty lists & personal loss resignation/acceptance of restrictions (rationing, etc) opposition to restrictions, conscription growth of conscientious objectors opposition to war profiteers increased industrial action, growth of communism increasingly fanatical support for war effort

Propaganda & Censorship • Negotiating a peace • Continued participation in the war??? • War must be won at all • costs -V- • In Germany, strain of war led to collapse of Kaiser’s govt. • In Britain, coalition govt of Lloyd George maintained its authority, began conscription in 1916 (accepted by all except conscientious objectors). CHANGING ATTITUDES Divisions appeared in German & English society (often based along class lines). They generally argued about…

Propaganda & Censorship

Propaganda & Censorship newspapers posters sermons films postcards Types of Propaganda schools PROPAGANDA Is an organised scheme to spread/transmit a particular doctrine, practice or point of view. music books & magazines meetings, speeches & marches

Propaganda & Censorship PROPAGANDA Films short B&W films of training or camp life to show organisation, work & mateship melodramatic attempts to demonise enemy

Propaganda & Censorship PROPAGANDA Newspapers articles by journalists & war correspondents (many never got near the front!) reporting about heroic acts or barbaric enemy acts editorials in Britain usually urged men to enlist (Germany already had conscription) cartoons showed the enemy as diabolical or humorously ineffective; own men as courageous or appealed to help the war effort photos often carefully posed or composed

Propaganda & Censorship PROPAGANDA Newspapers

Propaganda & Censorship PROPAGANDA

Propaganda & Censorship PROPAGANDA Newspapers

Propaganda & Censorship PROPAGANDA Posters extremely effective designed to have an immediate emotional rather than intellectual impact (or absorbed subconsciously) wide variety of purposes

Propaganda & Censorship PROPAGANDA Posters

Propaganda & Censorship PROPAGANDA

Propaganda & Censorship PROPAGANDA Sermons since most people went to church regularly & literacy levels were lower, many looked to their local minister/ priest to express their feelings/thoughts about topics clergy in all countries supported their own country’s efforts in the war Catholic Church considered itself neutral & Pope Benedict XV tried number of times to mediate but was rejected by both sides who often considered him to favor their enemies

Propaganda & Censorship PROPAGANDA Schools many teachers believed it was their patriotic duty to encourage children to support the war & pressure older male relatives to enlist. lessons on the enemy’s wickedness & own soldiers’ heroism was common High school students celebrating the Kaiser’s birthday in 1915.

Propaganda & Censorship PROPAGANDA Books & magazines carried a variety of patriotic articles, stories & comics

Propaganda & Censorship PROPAGANDA Meetings, speeches & marches held more frequently in non-conscription countries meetings organised by groups that supported the war speeches (often written up in the press) made at meetings, sporting events & races marches before embarkation helped raise morale & encouraged others to enlist

Propaganda & Censorship PROPAGANDA Music songs encouraged enlistment & morale military bands in dress uniforms often played at open air events

Propaganda & Censorship PROPAGANDA Postcards British postcards often used humour to poke fun at the enemy, suggesting that winning was simple. Postcards helped raise morale at the front

Propaganda & Censorship PROPAGANDA Postcards German (& French) postcards stressed the romantic, domestic & chivalrous

Propaganda & Censorship PROPAGANDA Photographs published in print media could be posed or manipulated (composite photos)

Propaganda & Censorship PROPAGANDA Photographs

Propaganda & Censorship CENSORSHIP Britain Defence of the Realm Act 1914 (DORA) gave the govt the power to regulate what/how news was spread & to prosecute those who ‘committed offences’ against these regulations (thus, control of the media)

Propaganda & Censorship CENSORSHIP Britain Ministry of Information sent ‘official’ correspondents, artists & photographers to the front (but not too close to the actual fighting). Only allowed into trenches from Nov 1916 Independent press carefully monitored & pacifist press shut down Combat was reported as victory/heroic resistance Soldiers: many self- censored to spare families worrying, all mail home was inspected

Propaganda & Censorship CENSORSHIP Britain Images of dead/wounded were excluded from publication Newspapers did not always report fully or truthfully & were often misleading (eg. 1st day of Somme: “Allied Losses Slight”) By 1918, casualty lists no longer published Even Parliament could be ‘kept in the dark’

Propaganda & Censorship CENSORSHIP Germany Controlled by High Command (Ludendorff & Hindenburg) Good news was reported, bad news was not Misinformation was fed to the public (eg. Leipzig zeppelin sheds not bombed but collapsed under snow) In final months, public became highly cynical & even Reichstag unaware of real situation

Propaganda & Censorship