Ww1 Propaganda Analysis

Getting the people to support a war is ALWAYS a main concern of any government.
WWI is no exception.
Your task today is to analyze the propaganda campaigns used by the Allies & Central Powers and to draw conclusions…
You are to then compare the propaganda of
WWI to the propaganda of today.

YOUR TASK:
1. You must visit several websites that shows propaganda posters from WWI (make sure it is not WWII !) & answer questions about them.

WEBSITES TO USE:
* Hold down the control key & click on any of the links!

• http://www.worldwar1.com/posters.htm

• http://www.ultimatehistoryproject.com/military-maneuvers-world-war-i-recruiting-posters.html

• http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/0/ww1/25237878
HONORS ONLY: Do the highlighted questions
as well
*You are welcome to type into the questions below or print it off & write in the answers…it’s up to you!
Make sure to save your work if you’re not done & email it to yourself or print it off & finish at home!

Name

Please answer the questions below.

1. Use the site above or google images and find 4 WWI propaganda posters from the US and 4 from the British. For each poster, describe what is going on in 2-3 sentences. THEN, write the goal of the poster and what tool is being used (use the chart below to help you). Goals for WWI Tools
1. Recruit Soldiers
2. Unify The Country
3. Finance the war
4. Conserve Resources/ Get Civilians to Sacrifice
5. Get people to Participate in the war effort 1. Demonization – show the enemy in a “devilish” sort of way
2. Catchy Slogans
3. Emotional/Patriotic – you essentially want people to cry when they look at it & want to help. Think babies & flags!
4. Visual Symbols – use strong symbols to get your message
across
5. Half Truths/Lies – “atrocity stories”
6. Humor/caricatures – make the enemy look ridiculous

US Posters Describe the Poster Goal Tool(s)
1)

It has a sleeping woman dressed in red, white, and blue. It urges Americans to wake up and fight. In the background, there is a fire and smoke, symbolizing other countries fighting while America is sleeping.
It says: “Wake up, America!” “Civilization calls every man woman & child!” #4 #3
#4
2) This shows Uncle Sam (A man symbolizing America) pointing at you to recruit you I the U.S. Army. He is wearing stars and stripes to represent America.
It says: “I want YOU for the U.S. army nearest recruiting station.” #1 #3
3)

This poster says: “American Red Cross” “Our boys need SOX knit your bit”
It shows a basket of yarn with a red cross behind it.
It is getting the women to knit socks for the soldiers, and do their part to help with the war. #5 #2
#4
4) This poster says: “Be a U.S. Marine!”
It shows a soldier standing in front of an American flag. To me this shows the courage of an U.S. Marine, just by him standing there. #1 #3
#4

British Posters Describe the Poster Goal Tool(s)
1)

This poster shows a lot of people participating in firing a cannon, making weapons, making uniforms and making food.
It says: “Are YOU in this?”
It is showing normal people, and asking other people if they would take part in it. #5 #3
#4
2) This poster says: “Lend your five shillings to your country and crush the Germans.”
It shows a German man being crushed by a giant coin. This symbolizes what the money you donate would do for the war.

#3 #4
#6
3) This poster says: “This is the enemy”
It shows a German man with a monocle. In the reflection of the monocle, there is a shadow of a person being hung. This is trying to get the people to stand up against the Germans who are killing their own. #2 #1
#4
4) This poster says: “Women of Britain say- GO!”
It has two women and a small child watching a regiment of soldiers walking away. This is to encourage men to go fight for the women and for
Britain.

#1 #3
#4

2. List 5 adjectives or verbs (descriptive/action words) used in the posters you looked at. How is language such an important part? Which 2 tools (from the chart you used above) do most of the posters seem to be using?

3. Look at some German Propaganda posters… Even though you probably can’t read them, how are they different or similar to the Allied posters?
DIFFERENT? SIMILAR?

4. What kind of emotional reaction would you have if you were looking at those posters back during the war? Fully Explain!

5. Which one did you find most offensive by today’s standards? (copy & paste poster below or print it off & attach). Explain why/how this is offensive. (on a separate sheet of paper—at least 1 page response)

6. Should our government behave in such a way (especially considering it is/was a time or war)? Why? (give me a thorough response on a separate sheet of paper—at least 1 page response)

7. You may choose to do ONE of the following: Circle below which one you chose to do & attach it to these questions when you turn it in.

a)MAKE YOUR OWN WWI POSTER
Requirements: Create a WWI poster either on the computer or hand drawn. Include one (or more) of the tools at the top of the assignment in your poster & choose one of the things below that you are trying to get people to do. Make sure to write which you chose at the bottom of your poster. b) FIND 3 MODERN DAY EXAMPLES
Requirements: Copy & past examples of modern day propaganda, and tell me what tools they are using (in the chart at the top) & what they are trying to get you to do. It can be urging you to do a number of things…not necessarily restricted to war.