Which source is more USEFUL to a historian studying the use of propaganda in the First World War? Explain your answer using Source A and your own knowledge.

AS and A Level English

11AC Jagjeet Bains GCSE 12th Jan 03

GCSE History Coursework

Assignment A2

Question 1

STUDY SOURCES A and B (i and ii)

Which source is more USEFUL to a historian studying the use of propaganda in the First World War?

Explain your answer using Source A and your own knowledge.

All sources are useful to a historian studying the use of propaganda in World War I. But some sources have limited information. Both sources A and B suggest how propaganda was used during the war and its effect on the British people.

Source A shows the enthusiasm of many British citizens. The source also indicates how propaganda was used to lift people’s moral. The British people were in a patriotic mood as they “had three cheers for the French and three for the Russians and three for the Belgians, and three for all the others we thought were on our side”. The source suggests that people were “determined to do their damnedest – to die if necessary”. The contents of the source imply that propaganda was used wherever possible to convince men to fight for their country in the war.

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Both methods of propaganda have similar uses, as source B is two posters trying to convince men that they should fight in the war. The first poster shows a man sitting in a chair with two children beside him. A girl is sitting with him and a boy is playing with toy soldiers. The girl in the picture asks, “Daddy, what did YOU do in the Great War?” I believe that this poster was made to make men feel guilty for not fighting in World War I. Men who did not fight in the war often received vicious looks and nasty comments from some British women, as they were angry that they were not defending the country. The recruiting poster may have made men feel embarrassed and ashamed that they were not helping the war effort. I believe that is a very effective recruiting poster.

The second poster of source B shows two women and a young child looking on, as soldiers get ready for the war. In a bold font the poster reads, “Women of Britain say – GO!” This poster is using women to persuade men to enlist for the war. The recruiting poster was used to show men that they had the support of women to fight in the war.

In my opinion, I believe that source B is more useful to a historian studying the use of propaganda during World War I. The source shows a more in-depth use of propaganda, as it is very effective to recruit men for the war. Whereas, source A is a secondary piece of writing and is not really biased in any way. Source B is a primary source and is very useful to show what methods were used to recruit people to the war. I believe that the source is not biased and has no hatred for the Germans.

Although posters and newspapers were some methods of propaganda, there were many others. Many speeches were made and leaflets to tell people how to cope with the war. Propaganda was also used on the radio to persuade people to enlist to the war. Men who did not join the war were told that they would be forced to join if they did not recruit voluntarily. This method persuaded many men to enlist, as they did not want to look like cowards.

In conclusion, both sources have limited uses but source B shows more about the war and how people were convinced to fight for Britain. Although source B is useful for showing propaganda aimed at men, they do not show how propaganda methods were used on women.