Explain Why Propaganda was used in the First World War to promote the war effort?

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Explain Why Propaganda was used in the First World War to promote the war effort?

Propaganda is a broadcast of media reflecting the views and interests of the people who publicize it. There are types ranging from Film, to cartoons, to statements made by the government. During WW1 and all wars propaganda is very important. This is mainly because of the effect it can have on the people. This will in turn relate to how the government run the country and how it will keep the publics support during wars I.e. If one party is for war and another against. Either party could use propaganda to get elected and therefore cause or prevent war. Another reason would be to influence people into doing what you want them to do. There have been many famous posters telling men to ‘Join up now’ as conscription was not active at the time.

In WW1 there were a limited amount of media for propaganda. Film was just being introduced, but yet, one of the most important historical films ever made was filmed then. ‘The Battle of the Somme’ changed over half the nations outlook on war. This showed the world how powerful the film industry was. There was a lot of propaganda as posters, displaying messages like Lord Kitcheners Recruitment poster campaign, trying to get people to volunteer for the war. The government tried to influence the people any way possible, but this was linked with the method used. Sometimes posters had limitations such as a lack of moving image and misinterpretation, and then couldn’t be used.  A lot of the posters for recruitment were very patriotic to make you feel your serving your country by obeying it. Newspaper articles and cartoons were a large part of propaganda in WW1. All classes and other varieties of people bought these. Low was a famous propagandist at the time that drew cartoons on political situations and figures. The sign-up process was something that propaganda was used greatly for. At the beginning of the war, the conscription act was not in effect. Therefore volunteers had to apply for military service. Being in a war situation at the time, the government need to influence young able men to go to war. They encouraged pals battalions. This was where officials came to factories and the like, and told the workers to join up together: Training, Fighting and consequently dying together. If some people did sign up, other people would because of peer pressure. When one does something, the others follow. This got whole towns to sign up together.  Also, they would have aimed propaganda at women, for a multitude of reasons. Women were encouraged to send their husbands off to war, and were sometimes shown in posters to say, “Go!” This would influence the men to act brave and courageous and sign up for duty. Also, they were encouraged to help work. Seeing as most of the men were at war. The woman would have to work, despite the traditional image of them, a new role, in helping the war effort. Posters prevented food shortages by asking to eat less staple foods, and advertising rationing campaigns. These were all set up by DORA (DEFENCE OF THE REALM ACT). Voluntary rationing failed because of humans’ instinct, the fact that they need to help themselves before other people. Rationing was then made compulsory and people were forced to give up some food to help the soldiers. Posters were also made showing how this rationing was effective and a good thing to do.

Join now!

At the beginning of the war, it was believed it would be over by Christmas. The propaganda then would have been quick and moral increasing. Men were encouraged to sign up and experience the glory of victory. As the war went on though, propaganda got more difficult to believe. Of course there was going to be atrocities on the battlefield, the government didn’t want morale lowered by graphic images of British soldiers dying, so they used Censorship. But as the war went on longer, unlike it was promised, this censorship got more difficult to believe. People got used to the ...

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