Bellwork 11/11/15• What is “propaganda”?

• What are some modern-day examples of propaganda?

WORLD WAR IPropaganda

Propaganda (definition)

• Information, ideas, or rumors deliberately spread widely to help or harm a person, group, movement, institution, nation, etc.

Introduction

Popular support for World War I was garnered by imagery used in newspapers and posters. This phenomena is known as propaganda. Propaganda posters played a major role in World War I.

Today, you will encounter some examples of propaganda. We will view these examples, and then you will be given the opportunity to create your very own piece of propaganda from the technique of your choice.

World War I Propaganda Techniques

• 1. Demonization of Germany– Some posters portrayed Germans as barbaric

and inhumane– Many posters called Germans “the Huns”– Two common symbols that represented

Germany were the Imperial Eagle and the Iron Cross

German demonization posters examples

WWI Propaganda Techniques

• 2. Buy War Bonds– War bonds – loans given from the American

public to the government to pay for the war effort

– Take money out of circulation, slowing the possibility of inflation

– Often called “liberty bonds” or “defense bonds”– War bond posters often used other propaganda

techniques as well

War bond posters examples

WWI Propaganda Techniques

• 3. Victory Gardens– Victory gardens were individual or community

gardens– Reduced pressure on public food supply– Also empowered the public by making them

feel as though they were contributing to the war effort

Victory garden posters examples

WWI Propaganda Techniques

• 4. Nationalism/Patriotism– The use of nationalism encouraged people to

do otherwise unpleasant things (enlist in the military, ration resources, etc.) for the greater good of the country

– Nationalism appears in many other techniques as well.

Nationalism posters examples

WWI Propaganda Techniques

• 5. Emotional/family appeal– Few persuasion techniques are as effective

as invoking a natural instinct of protecting one’s family

Emotional/family posters examples

WWI Propaganda Techniques

• 6. Guilt and shame– To enlist soldiers, propaganda posters tried,

and succeeded, in guilt-tripping young men into joining the military, lest they neglect their civic duty and remain at home unlike their peers.

Guilt/shame posters examples

• Every poster used some sort of catchy slogan to accompany the pictures, which often contained a half-truth to make America’s cause seem noble or the enemy’s—primarily Germany’s—seem evil.

Creating Your Own PosterWe will be going to the teacher center to create these

posters so that you have plenty of space and access to computers.

You may print images that are very difficult to draw, and you may look up additional examples of your type of poster; however, you CANNOT copy (plagiarize) an existing poster.

Your task will be to create your own propaganda poster from the technique of your choice. The components of your poster should be:

• A picture relating to your technique• A catchy slogan containing persuasive language and/or

half-truths• Color (I will provide colored pencils and markers)

Creating Your Own Poster

You will also give a brief (<3 minute) presentation after you complete your poster. In the presentation, you will need to:•Tell us what your technique was•Explain what you drew•Explain why you drew the pictures and chose the words•Say whether you think the poster would be effective during WWI and why

Propaganda Rubric

World War 1 Propaganda Poster Project Rubric

Use of Class Time/Participation by all group members, as graded by your group members (10 points)

/15

Oral Presentation (15 points)/15

Poster Design/Effort –NOT artistic ability (15 points) /15

TOTAL (45 points)/45

Groups• Anti-German:

• War Bonds:

• Victory Gardens:

• Nationalistic:

• Family:

• Guilt: