Propaganda During World War 1 - Opening Pandora's Box I THE GREAT WAR Special

Summary

This Great War special episode delves into the role of propaganda during WWI, highlighting its importance in boosting national morale and shaping public opinion. The script discusses the evolution of propaganda, from ancient times to the 19th-century mass media explosion, and its three main facets: front propaganda, home front propaganda, and foreign propaganda. It explores how Germany's sophisticated propaganda machine, including censorship and a central bureau, contrasted with Britain's more subtle yet influential approach, which later impacted Soviet Russian and Nazi propaganda. The episode also touches on the United States' Committee on Public Information and its innovative 'four-minute men' campaign, emphasizing the power of propaganda to manipulate emotions and beliefs.

Takeaways

• 📜 Propaganda has been used throughout history, including by Julius Caesar, to sway public opinion and support.
• 🌐 The 19th-century rise of mass media like newspapers and telegraphs greatly expanded the reach and impact of propaganda.
• 🔒 Censorship was a key tool during WWI, with Germany abolishing press freedom to control the narrative and maintain morale.
• 📈 Propaganda was multifaceted, targeting the front lines, home front, and foreign audiences to shape different aspects of the war effort.
• 🐉 Dehumanizing the enemy was common, often comparing them to animals to foster hatred and unify national spirit.
• 💵 Propaganda was used to encourage domestic support, such as buying war bonds, which was crucial for war financing.
• 🎭 Germany had a sophisticated propaganda machine, with a central bureau and control over publications, which was later militarized.
• 🇬🇧 British propaganda evolved significantly, becoming highly influential and setting a precedent for future propaganda efforts.
• 🎨 Creative figures like Rudyard Kipling and Arthur Conan Doyle were involved in British propaganda, adding credibility to the messages.
• 🗽 The US used innovative methods like the 'four-minute men' to spread propaganda in short, impactful speeches across the nation.
• 🌍 Propaganda was a global phenomenon during WWI, with each nation developing its own tactics to influence both domestic and international opinion.

Q & A

What was the primary purpose of wartime propaganda during the First World War?

The primary purpose of wartime propaganda was to maintain national morale, create hatred for the enemy, and dehumanize them if necessary, while also encouraging support for the war effort through the purchase of war bonds and maintaining international trade relations.

How did the development of mass media in the 19th century influence propaganda?

The explosion in mass media, including newspapers, telegraphs, and telephones, allowed for a more effective dissemination of propaganda, enabling the control and manipulation of the narrative to a broader audience.

What were the three parts of wartime propaganda as mentioned in the script?

The three parts of wartime propaganda were front propaganda to influence troops' morale, home front propaganda aimed at the domestic population, and foreign propaganda to counter enemy propaganda abroad.

Why did the German military abolish freedom of the press at the beginning of the war?

The German military believed that the population was not discerning enough to differentiate between real news and false propaganda, leading to the establishment of censorship.

How did Germany's propaganda machine function, and what were its main objectives?

Germany's propaganda machine functioned through a central bureau for foreign propaganda, a war press bureau controlling publications, and a picture and film agency. Its main objectives were to draw attention to the British naval blockade, counter enemy propaganda, and maintain a steady flow of income through war bonds.

What was the role of the British Wellington House or War Propaganda Bureau during the war?

The Wellington House was established to influence the public more subtly and secretly. It utilized mass media, including newspapers, cartoons, and magazine illustrations, to shape public opinion and maintain support for the war.

How did the British propaganda differ from the German approach in terms of subtlety?

British propaganda was more subtle, using images and events to create a narrative of German barbarity without being as overt as the German propaganda, which was more direct and focused on promoting German cultural superiority.

What was the significance of the Bryce Report in British propaganda?

The Bryce Report claimed that Germans mutilated women and children in Belgium, providing British propaganda with a narrative of German atrocities to sway public opinion against Germany.

How did the United States' Committee on Public Information contribute to the war effort?

The Committee on Public Information, led by George Creel, influenced U.S. public opinion in favor of the war through the creation of well-known war posters and the use of 'four-minute men' who gave short speeches at social gatherings to spread propaganda.

What was the 'stab-in-the-back' myth mentioned in the script, and how did it relate to German propaganda?

The 'stab-in-the-back' myth was a belief that Germany's military did not lose the war but was betrayed by civilian leaders. This myth was inadvertently fostered by the stark contrast between German propaganda's portrayal of victory and the reality of defeat, leading to a sense of betrayal among the German population.

Why was the British information monopoly in the United States considered a significant coup for their propaganda efforts?

By cutting Germany's trans-Atlantic cables, Britain effectively controlled the flow of information to the United States, allowing them to shape the narrative and influence American public opinion without direct German counter-narratives.

Outlines

00:00

📜 The Power of Propaganda in WWI

This paragraph delves into the strategic use of propaganda during the First World War, emphasizing its role in bolstering national morale and demonizing the enemy. Indy Neidell introduces the topic, highlighting the historical precedents like Julius Caesar's 'de Bello Gallico' and the evolution of propaganda with the advent of mass media. The paragraph outlines the three facets of wartime propaganda: front propaganda to affect troop morale, home front propaganda to influence the domestic population, and foreign propaganda to counter enemy narratives abroad. It discusses the German approach, which included the abolition of press freedom and establishment of censorship, and the creation of a central bureau for foreign propaganda. The effectiveness of German propaganda is underscored by the public's reaction to the war's end, where many felt betrayed, leading to the 'stab-in-the-back' myth. The paragraph also touches on the use of cultural symbols and myths to foster national pride and the contrast between German and British propaganda efforts.

05:03

🏳️‍💨 Propaganda Tactics and Public Manipulation

Paragraph two continues the exploration of WWI propaganda, focusing on the British and American approaches. It contrasts the slower start of British propaganda with its eventual significant impact, which influenced later Soviet and Nazi propaganda. The Wellington House, a secret propaganda bureau, is highlighted for its subtle influence on public opinion through essays by notable figures and mass media. The paragraph also discusses the Parliamentary Recruiting Committee's efforts to maintain a steady stream of recruits, which eventually led to conscription. The Department of Enemy Propaganda, under Lord Northcliffe, is noted for its effective anti-German and anti-Austrian campaign, so much so that the Germans targeted Northcliffe in their propaganda. The narrative shifts to the United States with the formation of the Committee on Public Information and its innovative 'four-minute men' who delivered brief speeches to captivate audiences within their attention span. The paragraph concludes with a teaser for future content on propaganda in cinema and a call to action for viewers to explore the subject further, acknowledging the profound ability of propaganda to manipulate emotions and beliefs, often without conscious awareness.

Keywords

💡Propaganda

Propaganda refers to information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote a political cause or point of view. In the context of the video, it is a central theme highlighting how it was used extensively during the First World War to manipulate public opinion, boost morale, and demonize the enemy. The script discusses various forms of propaganda, including wartime propaganda, home front propaganda, and foreign propaganda.

💡Morale

Morale is the confidence, enthusiasm, and fighting spirit of an individual or group at a given time. In the video, maintaining high morale among troops and the home population is emphasized as a critical goal of wartime propaganda. The script mentions that propaganda was used to keep up the nation's morale regardless of the actual events at the front.

💡Censorship

Censorship is the suppression or prohibition of any parts of books, films, news, etc. that are considered obscene, politically unacceptable, or a threat to security. The video discusses how censorship was used during the war to control the narrative and prevent the dissemination of information that could weaken public morale, as exemplified by Germany's abolition of press freedom and establishment of censorship.

💡War Bonds

War bonds are government-issued debt securities intended to help raise funds to finance a war. The script explains that propaganda was used to encourage people at home to buy war bonds, which were essential for financing the war effort. The success of German home propaganda is highlighted by the steady flow of income generated through war bonds.

💡Dehumanize

Dehumanize means to deprive of human qualities or to regard as less than human. In the context of the video, dehumanization is mentioned as a tactic used in propaganda to create hatred for the enemy. By comparing enemy soldiers to animals, it was easier to justify violence against them and to rally support for the war.

💡Home Front Propaganda

Home front propaganda refers to the efforts made to influence the attitudes and behaviors of the civilian population during wartime. The video explains that this type of propaganda was aimed at the domestic population, focusing on maintaining support for the war and encouraging behaviors that would aid the war effort, such as buying war bonds.

💡Foreign Propaganda

Foreign propaganda is the dissemination of information intended to influence the opinions or actions of people in other countries. The video discusses how Germany had a central bureau for foreign propaganda, which was focused on countering enemy propaganda and drawing attention to issues like the British naval blockade.

💡Stab-in-the-back Myth

The stab-in-the-back myth is a theory that the German military did not lose World War I but was betrayed by the civilian leadership. The video mentions this myth in relation to how the stark contrast between German propaganda and the reality of the war's outcome led many Germans to feel betrayed, which contributed to the rise of this myth.

💡Creel Committee

The Creel Committee, officially known as the Committee on Public Information, was a U.S. government committee established to influence public opinion during World War I. The video highlights the committee's use of war posters and the innovative 'four-minute men' who gave short speeches to spread propaganda messages across the nation.

💡Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

Unrestricted submarine warfare refers to the practice of submarines attacking without warning any ships, including neutral ones. The video script uses this as an example of an event that provided material for British propaganda to portray the Germans as barbaric, contributing to the 'Hun' image and the dehumanization of the enemy.

Highlights

Propaganda was used to manipulate public opinion and maintain morale during the First World War.

Wartime propaganda included front propaganda, home front propaganda, and foreign propaganda.

Propaganda aimed to create hatred and dehumanize the enemy, often comparing them to animals.

Germany had a pre-existing propaganda apparatus and abolished press freedom at the start of the war.

The German military used censorship to control the narrative of the war.

German propaganda was successful in selling war bonds and maintaining a steady income.

After the war, many Germans felt betrayed due to the stark contrast between reality and propaganda.

British propaganda began slowly but became highly influential, affecting later Soviet and Nazi propaganda.

The Wellington House, or War Propaganda Bureau, was established in 1914 to subtly influence the public.

British propaganda used mass media, including newspapers, cartoons, and magazine illustrations.

The Parliamentary Recruiting Committee used propaganda to encourage enlistment.

The Department of Enemy Propaganda was created, focusing on anti-German and anti-Austrian propaganda.

British propaganda depicted the Kaiser and later used the term 'the hun' to describe Germans.

The Bryce Report claimed that Germans mutilated women and children in Belgium.

British propaganda was more subtle compared to the German approach.

The US Committee on Public Information, or Creel Committee, was formed to sway public opinion in favor of the war.

The Creel Committee used 'four-minute men' to give short speeches at social gatherings to fit the human attention span.

Other warring nations also practiced censorship and propaganda.

The story of Jan Konupek, a Czech painter, illustrates the extent of censorship during the war.

Propaganda is a powerful tool that can manipulate emotions and beliefs, as seen in both war and peace.

Transcripts

Propaganda. Specifically wartime propaganda. Never mind what’s actually going on at the

front or in the enemy’s homeland, you need to keep up your nation’s morale regardless.

You need your people to hate the enemy, and so you put your propaganda machine to work.

I’m Indy Neidell; welcome to a Great War special episode about Propaganda and the First

World War.

Propaganda was, of course, not something unseen before the war.

Julius Caesar’s de Bello Gallico was written specifically to win the plebeians over to

his side against his enemies- the aristocrats of Rome- who were planning to prosecute him

for supposedly abusing his authority, and with the 19th century explosion in mass media

like the newspaper and the new technological feats like the telegraph and telephone, you

could really push the story you wanted to push.

During the Crimean War, Howard Russell wrote as a war correspondent directly from the front,

right? Less than a decade later during the American Civil War, over 500 correspondents

were writing from the front lines, and to really get a propaganda machine going, you

have to be able to censor things you don’t want people to read. All in all there are

three parts of wartime propaganda; front propaganda to increase morale among your troops and weaken

it in the enemy, home front propaganda aimed at the population at home, but also foreign

propaganda to counter enemy propaganda abroad. Above all, you need to create hatred for the

enemy, and perhaps even dehumanize him, which is one reason you see a lot of comparisons

between enemy soldiers and various animals. You needed people at home to buy things like

war bonds. And you need to keep other nations to trade with you and ideally stop trading

with the enemy.

So how do you do it?

It’s easy. Look at Germany, for example. Germany already had a working propaganda apparatus

at the beginning of the war. The German military did not think the population was smart enough

to differentiate between real news and false propaganda so freedom of the press was abolished

and censorship was established. It worked so well that soldiers complained to the high

command that they couldn’t see themselves in stories about their own regiment or front

line action.

Germany also had a central bureau for foreign propaganda in the foreign ministry that was

mainly focused on drawing attention to the British naval blockade and “disproving”

enemy propaganda, which may or may not itself have been accurate. In 1916 and 1917 this

was also placed under military command. As many as 7,400 press releases, flyers, and

letters were sent out a day and control of the press was established via the war press

bureau that held weekly press briefings and maintained control of publications. Also,

General Erich Ludendorff created a picture and film agency within the bureau.

Now, German home propaganda was very successful. War bonds created a steady flow of income

and even at the very end the contrast between reality and propaganda was so stark that when

they lost the war, many Germans actually felt betrayed, which paved the way for the “stab-in-the-back”

myth that you’re going to go look up in a few minutes. It often depicted national

figures like the French Marianne, British John Bull, and American Uncle Sam and it was

really focused on German culture since German culture was deemed superior to other cultures.

There were German national myths and heroes, knights slaying dragons, Siegfried, the valkyrie,

and the dualism between culture and civilization.

British propaganda, by comparison, began much more slowly than German, but it became a real

Pandora’s Box, as it was so effective that it greatly influenced Soviet Russian and Nazi

German propaganda later on. The Wellington House or War Propaganda Bureau was established

in 1914, but its existence was a secret and it was to influence the public more subtly.

You had guys like Rudyard Kipling or Arthur Conan Doyle writing essays seemingly of their

own volition. All the mass media was used, newspapers, cartoons, illustrations in magazines-

stuff that people bought; that people PAID for. See, when you paid for it, it created

the illusion that you were forming your own opinion; that you were actually making a choice.

At the same time, the Parliamentary Recruiting Committee spread its propaganda to create

a steady stream of recruits. Now, this was ultimately unsuccessful as Britain eventually

introduced conscription once people lost hope in a short war.

Soon, the Department of Enemy Propaganda would be created, which is fairly close to our modern

understanding of propaganda. Indeed, it’s head, the newspaper publisher Lord Northcliffe,

stressed how important propaganda would be during peacetime. Crewe House, as the Department

was known, had a seven-point program for anti-German and anti-Austrian propaganda that was so effective

that the Germans specifically targeted Northcliffe with their propaganda. One German cartoon

from 1918 shows Northcliffe, dressed in a tacky checked suit, standing with Satan, who

has his arm around Northcliffe like a buddy, and Satan is saying, “Welcome, Great Master!

From you at last we shall learn the science of lying!”

Initially, British propaganda used images of the Kaiser, but eventually “the hun”

began to appear. Unrestricted submarine warfare, the occupation of Belgium, the execution of

Edith Cavell, such events gave fodder for the barbaric images of German soldiers. The

Bryce Report in May 1915 claimed that Germans mutilated women and children in Belgium and

similar stories claimed that German factories were using human body parts, but still, British

propaganda was much more subtle than German. One of the greatest coups for the British

was, of course, the fact that they had cut Germany’s trans-Atlantic cables so Britain

had an information monopoly in the United States.

Speaking of the states, here’s some interesting info about one form of US propaganda.

The Committee on Public Information, also known as the Creel committee after George

Creel, its chairman, was formed by President Woodrow Wilson by executive order in April

1917. Its purpose was to influence US public opinion in favor of the war effort. The Committee

worked together with illustrators to create what are still today well-known war posters.

They also had a unique approach to spreading their word- the four-minute men. At the time,

it was believed that four minutes was the human attention span, right? So these men

gave four-minute speeches all over the nation at various social gatherings. There were 75,000

four-minute men, and an estimated 11 million people heard them speak live. Interestingly

enough, the media wasn’t so fond of the Committee after several of its spun facts

were proven to be demonstrably false by journalists.

All of the other warring nations, of course, practiced their own forms of censorship and

propaganda.

Here’s what I thought was a rather amusing anecdote: the Czech painter Jan Konupek wrote

a great deal of letters to his wife-to-be during the war, up to three per day. Censors

thoroughly read and edited them and would remove all comments about things like potato

shortages to the point where one day a censor actually asked Konupek to please write shorter

letters and improve his penmanship.

Anyhow, I’m going to end this today. I realize many of you will mention that I only really

talked about British and German propaganda. That’s partly because they had the most

developed organizations, and partly because I have the most information about that. In

future we will do another propaganda special about propaganda and cinema which is something

that we haven’t touched today but it’s so vast that it deserves an entire episode.

Until that time, I encourage you to look it all up yourself because it is both a fascinating

and a scary subject to see how easily and effectively our emotions and beliefs can be

manipulated during both war and peace without us really being aware of it.

If you want to find out more about Edith Cavell and how her life and death were used for the

British Propaganda machinery, click here for our biography episode about her.

For a selection of famous propaganda posters follows us on Instagram or check out our Facebook

page. See you next time.