Transcript WWI Propaganda 2

The First World War:
Propaganda Posters
What is Propaganda?
Propaganda is information usually
produced by governments presented in
such a way as to inspire and spread
particular beliefs or opinions.
1: ideas, facts, or allegations spread deliberately
to further one's cause or to damage an opposing cause
Source: Webster’s Dictionary
Propaganda As A Tool of War
When you have a war that is lasting years and killing millions
of soldiers you need a way to control public dissent against the
cause.
Propaganda was (and is) an effective way to pressure the
citizenship to continue supporting the effort.
There are many different ways of creating emotion in
propaganda, including:
1. Convincing people they are not doing enough.
2. Showing the enemy as inhumane and cruel.
3. Putting pictures of the helpless who need us.
4. Advertising ways we can help the cause.
Common Themes in WWI
Propaganda
1.
VICTORY / SUPPORT for War Effort – promote
patriotism/nationalism
2.
FEAR OF ENEMY - promote fear and hostility towards the
enemy
3.
RECRUITMENT – encourage men to enlist
4.
CONSERVATION – save money and food (Rationing)
5.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT – convince people to buy Victory Bonds
or donate to help soldier’s families
VICTORY
At the outbreak of the First
World War, Canada was tied
closely to Britain through its
constitution but even greater
ties were the ones that ordinary
Canadians saw as those that
bound them to the mother
country.
This sense of patriotism and
support for Britain was a theme
that appeared over and over in
Canadian war posters.
FEAR
What is this poster’s
message?
How is this poster
promoting
nationalism?
Canadian posters were also different
from other countries in that as a
hostile army was not overrunning
Canada, the posters tended not to
focus on violence in their design in
order to make a point. Often poster
designs used ridicule and humour as
a theme when referring directly to
the enemy.
Most posters were produced by the
government but there were many
privately commissioned posters, as
well. Local regiments, corporations,
well-to-do individuals and charitable
organizations such as the Red
Cross, also got into the act.
RECRUITMENT
Conscription in Canada
did not occur until 1917
so replacing casualties
and increasing the size
of Canada’s
commitment to the
conflict relied almost
entirely on volunteers.
Different from the British
posters was the fact the
Canada targeted
various cultural and
ethnic groups such as
French Canadians, and
those of Scottish and
Irish descent.
Who is this poster
directed towards?
What emotions is
it appealing to?
Who is the OLD
LION?
Who are the
YOUNG LIONS?
What is the
purpose of this
poster?
Who is the target
of this poster?
How is it attempting
to get the target to
enlist?
CONSERVATION
Why was it so
important for
Canadians on the
home front to
conserve food
and other goods?
Conservation con’t
Why did the govt.
deal with hoarders
so harshly?
What emotions is
this poster
appealing to?
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Throughout the war, the
design of posters was
similar to those originating
in Britain and echoed many
of the same themes.
Typically, the posters were
designed to encourage the
public to invest in
government Victory
Bonds to help pay for the
war, increase
manufacturing productivity,
donate money to
organizations such as local
societies of the Red Cross
and Patriotic Funds and,
more importantly, to
encourage eligible men to
join the armed forces.
Who does this
poster target?
How can you
tell?
Why is this poster
so effective?
What techniques
are used to
make this
poster effective?
What emotions is
this poster
appealing to?
Identify all of the
stereotypes in this
poster.
Considering what
you know about
aboriginal
enlistment, why
else is this poster
so offensive?
Create a
Propaganda Poster
that could be used
during WWI.
Making Your Own WWI
Propaganda Posters
• By yourself or in groups of 2, create a propaganda poster with:
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colourful images (photos or drawings) that reinforce propaganda
A catchy title and/or slogan that reinforces the propaganda
A clear message (see below)
Use of colour that reinforces message
• Based on one of the following Issues / Goals:
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Fear of Enemy aliens (War Measures Act)
Honour rationing
Victory Bonds
Conscription / 1917 election
Women joining the war effort (i.e. work or supporting their men)
Recruitment posters
• Written Summary:
• On the back of the poster or on a separate piece of paper, write down how your
poster relates to the issue you chose and WHY. For example,
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who is your poster targeting and why
what information about the issue is contained on your poster (explain what info you used
and why)
What is the purpose of your poster?
What image(s) have you used and why?