Propaganda is used to persuade people’s views and lead them to make decisions. This method of persuasion can be found everywhere, including in newspapers, posters, speeches, radio, films, and more. In WWI, the US government aimed to foster patriotism and nationalism through propaganda, portraying heroic soldiers and noble causes to emphasize citizens' duty to support their country. They portrayed the enemy negatively to create an “us vs. them” mentality, using dehumanizing terms to justify the war and encourage public opposition. To maintain army strength, propaganda motivated enlistment by appealing to men’s sense of duty, bravery, and honor, sometimes shaming those who didn't enlist. Citizens were also urged to buy war bonds and contribute …show more content…
So keep your eyes open! Read all the papers every day, to find a new slogan, or a new phraseology, or a new idea to replace something you have in your speech.” (Four Minute Men Bulletin) The CPI placed an utmost importance on concise and impactful communication. Recognizing limited public attention spans, particularly during wartime, the CPI ensured that every word served a purpose. The CPI continually aimed for improvement, never settling for satisfactory results. By frequently scanning the media for fresh slogans and phrases, the CPI guaranteed that their messages remained timely, engaging, and intriguing to drive the people’s focus to the war. These principles assured that their messages were not only pervasive, but also highly effective in influencing the views of the people throughout WWI. Throughout WWI, propaganda played a crucial role in rallying public support and encouraging enlistment. Propaganda also employed depictions of the enemy to scare citizens into action. A compelling example of this is Harry Ryle Hopp’s 1917 poster, “Destroy This Mad Brute: Enlist.” In this poster, Germany is depicted as a barbarian who has invaded U.S. shores, leaving Europe in …show more content…
The success of propaganda in promoting Liberty Bonds and encouraging enlistment reinforced the necessity of national support in sustaining a war effort, proving the importance of government engagement with its citizens. Propaganda campaigns, including those promoting the sale of Liberty Bonds, motivated civilians to financially support the war effort, shining light on personal obligation and patriotism in aiding the war cause. Additionally, the ethical questions raised by the use of manipulative propaganda provoked ongoing debates about the balance between persuasion and manipulation. These strategies and techniques paved the way for modern public advertising, demonstrating the impact of what is shared with society. However, they also led to a more skeptical public attitude towards media and government communications, increasing the demand for transparency and accountability. This topic connects to modern-day issues by highlighting the ongoing influence of media and propaganda in shaping public views and gaining followers for different