World War I Propaganda Poster Analysis

World War I Propaganda Poster Analysis

Propaganda

Propaganda is a form of advertisement with a specific goal in mind. It is strategically used to sway a person's opinion or to persuade them to participate in a specific event. Propaganda can be very effective, and has appeared in various forms and allows governments to influence popular public opinion and cooperation.

In World War One, the use of propaganda was everywhere Europeans and Americans gathered. Propaganda posters were placed on street signs, buildings, and in businesses. Everywhere you looked you saw an advertisement, usually with very vivid tools, the means, to get you to serve in the war in any way they wanted you to see it and to be part of the war - in whatever way they needed you.

​Why the need for increased U.S. propaganda during WWI?

• ​President Wilson initially wanted to keep U.S. neutral and avoid the war abroad.

• The U.S. had a large immigrant population from Europe.

• 17 million out of 100 million Americans had been born outside of the U.S.          

• There were strong feelings of support for the Central Powers from the German-American and Irish-American immigrants.                                

​Why the need for increased propaganda during WWI?

• ​When the U.S. finally decided to enter the war in 1917 there was major concern about the “lack of public unity” about the war.

• This concern led to the creation of the Committee of Public Information (CPI).

• The CPI’s goal was to “promote the war domestically while publicizing American war aims abroad.”

• During WWI, the U.S. published more propaganda posters than any other single nation.

Objectives of Propaganda - "What the Poster Wants You to Do"

*Enlist or support relatives who are fighting

*Buy bonds from the government to help finance the war

*Be loyal to the government and tell on those who aren't

*Work in a wartime industry, even switch from your regular job

*Work instead of staying at home if you're a woman

*Volunteer skills or time to help the nation or soldiers

*Eat more of some things and less or none of others

*Save sugar for the soldiers

*Grow crops to increase the food supply

Tools in Propaganda - "The Means Used to Persuade"

*Demonization - the enemy is evil; the devil

*Emotional Appeals - uses feelings to persuade

*Name Calling - catchy or derogatory names

*Patriotic Appeals - to be a good citizen

*Half-Truths or Lies - exaggerations to mislead

*Catchy Slogans - instantly appealing and memorable

*Evocative Visual Symbols - brings strong images, memories, or feelings to mind

*Humor or Caricatures - making fun of the enemy

After viewing the following propaganda posters, you are to determine:

• the objective(s) of the poster

• the propaganda tool(s) used by each poster to persuade

Multiple Choice

What is the objective of this poster?

• Enlist or support relatives who are fighting

• Buy bonds from the government to help finance the war

• Grow crops to increase the food supply

• Eat more of some things and less or none of others

Multiple Choice

What is the objective of this poster?

• Conserve food or fuel for the war effort

• Work in a wartime industry, even switch from your regular job

• Enlist or support relatives who are fighting

• Grow crops to increase the food supply

Multiple Choice

What is the purpose of this poster?

• Buy bonds from the government to help finance the war

• Save sugar for the soldiers

• Volunteer skills or time to help the nation or soldiers

• Eat more of some things and less or none of others

Multiple Choice

What is the purpose of this poster?

• Enlist or support relatives who are fighting

• Buy bonds from the government to help finance the war

• Be loyal to the government and tell on those who aren't

• Work in a wartime industry, even switch from your regular job

Multiple Select

What 2 techniques are used in this poster to convince the American people to support the war effort?

• emotional appeal

• humor or caricature

• catchy slogans

• patriotic appeal

Multiple Choice

What was the purpose of this poster?

• Work in a wartime industry, even switch from your regular job

• Volunteer skills or time to help the nation or soldiers

• Buy bonds from the government to help finance the war

• Enlist or support relatives who are fighting

Multiple Choice

What is the purpose of this poster?

• Enlist or support relatives who are fighting

• Buy bonds from the government to help finance the war

• Volunteer skills or time to help the nation or soldiers

• Work in a wartime industry, even switch from your regular job

Multiple Choice

What is the purpose of this poster?

• Enlist or support relatives who are fighting

• Work in a wartime industry, even switch from your regular job

• Work instead of staying at home if you're a woman

• Volunteer skills or time to help the nation or soldiers

Multiple Select

What 3 techniques are used in this poster to convince Americans to join the war effort?

• demonization

• emotional appeals

• evocative visual symbols

• humor or caricature

Multiple Select

What techniques are used in this poster to convince the Americans to support the war effort? SELECT ALL THAT APPLY.

• demonization

• name-calling

• evocative visual appeal

• emotional appeal

Multiple Choice

What is the purpose of this poster?

• Buy bonds from the government to help finance the war

• Be loyal to the government and tell on those who aren't

• Enlist or support relatives who are fighting

• Volunteer skills or time to help the nation or soldiers

Multiple Select

What 2 techniques are used in this poster to convince Americans to support the war effort?

• demonization

• humor or caricature

• catchy slogan

• patriotic appeal

Multiple Select

What are the 2 purposes of this poster?

• Enlist or support relatives who are fighting

• Volunteer skills or time to help the nation or soldiers

• Work in a wartime industry, even switch from your regular job

• Work instead of staying at home if you're a woman

Multiple Choice

What is the purpose of this poster?

• Eat more of some things and less or none of others

• Grow crops to increase the food supply

• Volunteer skills or time to help the nation or soldiers

• Be loyal to the government and tell on those who aren't