Great War Propaganda

Question: Account for the widespread use of propaganda during the Great War and assess its influence. Illustrate your answer with reference to specific examples.

Propaganda is a technique used across time by the media, in which is utilized for a variety of purposes. Examples can be seen in life and make compelling arguments. The multiple purposes that propaganda produces is varied depending upon the time and occasion. It was mostly utilized as a method of manipulation. Conversely, messages are portrayed by propaganda in attempts to convey the message of its purpose. It is deemed by historians as a psychological tool or weapon, used through out time for an intended nature depending upon its audience. During the time of the great war, propaganda

In Britain it was conducted to recruit soldiers in its armies. Recruitment was an important factor to Britain in the war, many people had considered that the war was pointless and did not want to be a part of it. Therefore, the government's decided to motivate the people by releasing propaganda which would compel patriotism in the hearts and minds of the public. Illustrations were carefully depicted to match a suitable audience. In addition to recruitment and motivation in Britain, propaganda provided stability. As the war progressed there were casualties in the war fronts, at home the government did not want any commotion. To provide a positive feedback propaganda established that the war was for a great cause. Historians and members of the war society have made compelling arguments on such propaganda, such as the german general Ludendorff commented that ‘we were hypnotised… as a rabbit is by a snake.’ The point being is that the propaganda used throughout the nations of the multitude of countries gave out numerous feedback. In different countries this psychological tool was used similarly and differently depending upon its need of infrastructure and the audience in would appeal. In Russia it was used as a tool of manipulation and to portray the enemy, in which the soldiers would consider hostile.

One groups is the domestic group, these are combination of people in the public of different classes, including male and female. The second group is the enemy, in which the war is fought against. The third group were the neutral group, these were the countries in which did not participate immensely in the war such as USA. Another factor in the increase of propaganda in the war was due to the enemy. The opposing side of the enemy required victory over them. Propaganda allowed these forces to penetrate the mind of the enemy and justify their weaknesses. Due to the fact that it was an effective method in destabilizing the enemy, countries such as Britain used such propaganda against Germany to psychological defeat them, such as exploiting their mistakes or brutality. Historians such as Ian Cooke have commented on this factor, he stated ‘The medal was found by British agents, and hundreds of thousands of copies were made and circulated to highlight the ‘barbarity’ of the enemy.’ Medals were constructed in Germany for their victories in capturing and massacring any opposing forces. This allowed Britain to portray them as barbaric in their propaganda, thus manifesting hate in in the domestic audience and guilt the enemy. In addition, this will have an impact on the neutral group, as the portrayal of the enemy can have an impact on what decisions the neutral groups