PropagandaConvincing Americans To

Support the War

What is Propaganda?• Definition: information designed to

influence peoples opinion about a topic or situation; persuasion.

• Became very popular during WWI.• Allied Powers and the Central Powers used

propaganda to gain support.• The most frequently used form during the

war was posters.• Americans used it for anti-German

feelings

Propaganda Posters

• Each country used advertising to convince citizens to…– asking volunteers to join the army – suggesting that people not waste food during

the wartime shortages – persuading people into buying war bonds

Forms of Propaganda• Half-truths/Assertion: supplying only

the facts that support a certain point of view.

• Name-calling: Example- The U.S. often referred to the Germans as “Huns”.

• Testimonial - Using a famous person to identify a cause.

• Using images to show the other side in the worst possible light.

Forms of Propaganda

• Bandwagon – To convince the audience to do or believe something because everyone else is doing it.

• Glittering Generality – Using words so strongly positive that in emotional context that just hearing them makes you feel good. The words express a positive meaning

• Repetition – Using a name, phrase or key words over and over again

Present Day Examples of Propaganda?

• Think about certain commercials, internet or magazine ads that try to persuade to purchase or think a certain way. Write them down on the space provided.

What does the artist want Americans to do?

Who does the beast represent?

Who does the Woman represent?

What form of propaganda is this?

Who is the Hun?

What does the artist

want Americans to

do?

What form of

propaganda is this?

• What form of Propaganda is this?

• What does the artist want the Americans to do?

• How do they portray the US soldier?

• How do they portray the Germans?

• Who is the man on the tree representing?

• How is the US being portrayed?

• Why do you think it is in Spanish and English?

Propaganda Poster• On your own, create a poster for the war.• Your poster should be influencing others

in a certain way.– Be neat.– Be creative.– Be colorful.– If you do not finish, you will have

limited time to finish after your countries quiz on Monday.