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Selling The Great War: Propaganda and the Art of Persuasion

Ernesto Sabato

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Published in Selling The Great War: The Making Of American Propaganda

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The Great War was a conflict fought between the world's great powers at the time: the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire) and the Allied Powers (France, Russia, the British Empire, Italy, Japan, and the United States). The war was fought from 1914 to 1918 and resulted in the deaths of millions of people.

Selling the Great War: The Making of American Propaganda

by Alan Axelrod

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Print length	:	257 pages

In order to mobilize public support for the war, governments on both sides used propaganda to persuade their citizens to support the war effort. Propaganda was used to create a sense of national unity and purpose, to demonize the enemy, and to promote the idea that victory was inevitable.

Propaganda was disseminated through a variety of channels, including newspapers, magazines, posters, films, and radio broadcasts. Governments also used schools and churches to spread propaganda to children and adults alike.

Propaganda was effective in mobilizing public support for the war. In the United States, for example, propaganda helped to create a sense of national unity and purpose. It also helped to demonize Germany and its allies, and to promote the idea that the United States was fighting for a just cause.

However, propaganda was not always accurate or truthful. Governments often exaggerated the threat posed by the enemy and downplayed the risks of war. They also used propaganda to justify atrocities and to suppress dissent.

The use of propaganda during The Great War had a profound impact on the way that wars are fought today. Governments continue to use propaganda to mobilize public support for their wars, but they are also more aware of the dangers of propaganda and its potential to be used to mislead the public.

Examples of Propaganda from The Great War

Here are some examples of propaganda from The Great War:

A poster from the United States shows a young woman holding a flag and the words "I Want You for U.S. Army".
A poster from Germany shows a soldier with a bayonet charging into battle with the words "Gott mit uns" (God with us).
A film from France shows the horrors of war and the suffering of the French people.
A radio broadcast from Britain warns of the threat posed by Germany and its allies.

The Legacy of Propaganda from The Great War

The legacy of propaganda from The Great War is a reminder of the importance of critical thinking and skepticism. We must always be aware of the potential for propaganda to be used to deceive us, and we must never allow ourselves to be manipulated by those who would use it to further their own agendas.

Selling the Great War: The Making of American Propaganda

by Alan Axelrod

4.3 out of 5