Download 20th Century Conflicts Projects By Sam Langston Conflict: WWI

20th Century Conflicts Projects
By Sam Langston
Conflict: WWI
Topic: Propaganda
Argument: Propaganda is the most significant cause of WWI because it influenced the
people to fight and it gave them a strong feeling of nationalism.
Key Passages:
1. Secondary Source
“–noun
Information, ideas, or rumors deliberately spread widely to help or harm a person, group,
movement, institution, nation, etc.”
“Propaganda”. Dictionary.com. n.d. Web. 14 Mar. 2011
2. Secondary Source
“CPI propaganda typically appealed to the heart, not to the mind. Emotional agitation is a
favorite technique of the propagandist, because "any emotion may be 'drained off' into
any activity by skilful manipulation." An article which appeared in Scientific Monthly
shortly after the war argued that "the detailed suffering of a little girl and her kitten can
motivate our hatred against the Germans, arouse our sympathy for Armenians, make us
enthusiastic for the Red Cross, or lead us to give money for a home for cats." Wartime
slogans such as "Bleeding Belgium," "The Criminal Kaiser," and "Make the World Safe For
Democracy," suggest that the CPI was no stranger to this idea. Evidence of this technique
can be seen in a typical propaganda poster that portrayed an aggressive, bayonet-wielding
German soldier above the caption "Beat Back The Hun With Liberty Bonds”
Horner, Rachelle. "Propaganda in the US." I Net Teacher. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2011.
<http://inetteacher.com/Section2.aspx?uid=104127&pgid=409&secid=17584&sid=203
633>.
3. Secondary Source
“The Nazis believed in propaganda as a vital tool in achieving their goals. Adolf Hitler,
Germany's Führer, was impressed by the power of Allied propaganda during World War I
and believed that it had been a primary cause of the collapse of morale and revolts in the
German home front and Navy in 1918. Hitler met nearly every day with Goebbels to discuss
the news, and Goebbels would obtain Hitler's thoughts on the subject. Goebbels then met
with senior Ministry officials to pass down the official Party line on world events.
Broadcasters and journalists required prior approval before their works were
disseminated. Along with posters, the Nazis produced a number of films and books to
spread their beliefs.”
"Propaganda." Wikipedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2011.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propaganda#Nazi_Germany>.
4. Secondary Source
“One week after the passage of the war declaration, Wilson established the Committee on
Public Information, headed by George Creel. Creel’s powers were immense as he was
tasked with creating a propaganda machine that had two primary aims: building support for
the war in a pluralistic society and portraying the enemy in the worst possible manner.”
Streich, Michael. "World War One and Propaganda." Suite 101. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Mar.
2011. <http://www.suite101.com/content/world-war-one-and-propaganda-a141753>.