Propaganda in World War I and why the US entered the war - Essay Example

 Introduction The Great War (World War I) that erupted in 1914 pitted the allied powers (Great Britain, France, Russia against the central powers (Germany, Austria, Turkey). These European powers often engaged in fights for status and territory thus the Great War was no exception except that it attracted the whole world into the conflict. Not even the United States which had vowed to maintain its isolationist or non-interventionist policy was spared. Of most importance is that the US depended much on trade from both powers with trade from allied forces accounting for more than $ 800 million and from central powers $170 million (p. 137). Further, trade from Britain and France depended on loans from American banks. No wonder the US was unable sustain its non-interventionist stance. This was bound to be difficult for US thus the formation of the Creel committee to devise propaganda that would shape public opinion towards war support. This essay will focus on how the US used propaganda to mobilize public opinion during Great War. There are various factors that led the US to enter the war. First, it was the economic ties with Europe. The war would have jeopardized US trade thus it was reasonable to intervene. Secondly, it is the strong ethnic ties of US to the old world. America comprised of many immigrants from war torn areas hence it was bound to get involved in the war. Furthermore, President Wilson always held great admiration for British form of government hence sympathetic to its plight. Another important reason is that US was caught in the middle of commercial warfare with Britain blockade on one side and German blockade on the other. It was only prudent to enter into the conflict and save its trade. However, the final blow was the telegram from Germany to Mexico that ignited desire to get engaged. It sought cooperation from Mexico in return to helping it fight US in future battles. For these reasons, America had no option but to engage in the war (PP. 137-138). America decided to enter the war in April 1917 however, there were fears of resistance from the public as the nation moved from neutral to full engagement in the war. One of the fears was that those who had strongly supported a neutral policy would not support intervention. There were also well known and respected Americans like Andrew Carnegie who were strongly opposed to joining the war and they could have great impact on the population. There was also the issue of large ethnic blocs which were feared would not support war due to their ties with the fighting powers. To unite a heterogeneous society towards one common goal was not an easy affair for the government of the day hence the use of propaganda (p 134). The Creel Committee on Public Information was thus formed to persuade diverse American public to support war effort. Its task was to unite multiethnic, pluralistic society; attract armed services; influence civilians to support war and put pressure on others to refrain from actions that would hinder war efforts such as giving information to spies (p. 139). To achieve this, they were supposed to use different strategies such as: portray allied forces as good and enemies as bad; portray allied cause as just and that of enemy as unjust; give message to civilians on importance of the war and also communicate sense of urgency. The committee used millions of press releases, books, pamphlets, scripts, songs, films and speeches by four minute men to spread its propaganda and change public opinion towards supporting war effort. There were various types of propaganda used by the Creel committee to mobilize public opinion during the Great War. Source is a song by George M. Cohan55, 1917.named “over there.” The song urged young men to register in the army to fight for liberty of their country. They were requested to go over there and fight until the war is over so as to “make daddy glad” and “sweethearts proud” (142). This was meant to appeal emotionally to these men that their fathers would be proud of them and so are their loved ones due to their dedication and sacrifice. Source 2 “spies and lies” was meant to portray the enemy (Germans) as spies. It urged the civilians not to give any information to the spies but rather inform the department of justice if such a person approached them. Discretion and vigilance were called for to all civilians. Giving information to spies was bound to jeopardize the war effort as the enemy would be aware of the strategy US was using or what it was planning. Source 3 “Bachelor of Atrocities” was also meant to portray Germans and Prussians (Hohenzollern) as bad since they claim their culture is superior and impose it on others especially in colleges. This in turn erodes the very culture and decency that the college stands for. Whatever they say is lies and should not be taken into account. This was meant to appeal to young people especially college students to buy liberty bonds and exercise self-discipline and self sacrifice for the sake of America. They were urged to economize hence deny themselves comforts and luxuries that America may live. One emotional appeal was the claim that “every bond you buy fires point blank at Prussian terrorism” (143). Source 4 also was an appeal made to history teachers to support war efforts by teaching about the war in various media such as bulletins and other publications. Source 5 is the famous Uncle Sam poster urging patriotic civilians to be recruited into the army. The poster is a symbol of unity and patriotism which has been in use and is still in use today in America. Its use thus would appeal to many citizens. It read “I want you for US army nearest recruiting station.” It reminded people of their duty to the state. Source 6 portrays Germany as a raging beast “Destroy this mad brute.” It was a beast holding a half naked woman and stepping on America. This was an appeal for recruitment into the army lest the beast comes to snatch their women and rape democracy. It relates to source 21 which is a moving picture world promotional tip to theatre managers. This piece reflects the brutality of Germans and Prussians such that they would not even spare their own to achieve their goals and rape democracy. Just like the countess who was the emperor’s favorite was killed for supporting her people. Source 21 also appeals to women to support their nation in war effort just the countess gave her all for democracy and died for world freedom. Closely related to this is source 7 “Joan of Arc saved France” which appeals to women to also save their country by buying war saving stamps just like Joan of Arc saved France. Source 8 appeals to all citizens especially women to do their bit in supporting the war effort and the men in battle. They could engage in Red Cross to help the soldiers or knit sox for them, whatever little contribution they make to help the men in battle is valued. Sources 18 to 20 are speeches and poems from the four minute men describing their experiences. Source 18 is an excerpt of speech by one of the men portraying Germans as spies who are out to get information and hand it over to Berlin about the workings of liberty loans and various communities. The speech appealed to people to buy liberty loans in large quantities so to show the enemy they are united and not slackers. They were told that money meant victory and less bloodshed so they could more loans and support war effort. Source 19 was part of speech by four minute man meant to counter German propaganda of how the whites were mistreating African Americans. Germans claimed “10 negroes were conscripted for 1 white” so as to eliminate the Negro race. This would have hurt war effort tremendously hence the counterattack to get Negron support. Source 20 “Its Duty Boy” is a poem urging men to recruit in the army. This would make their fathers proud to know that their son is brave and died in battle for the sake of the country rather than live and be a disgrace to him and the whole community. This like the song in source 1 was emotional blackmail as it portrayed those not willing to die for the country as cowards and a disgrace to society. This would make more men to register in the army. All these types of propaganda aroused public interest and attracted huge support for the war effort. However, it also resulted in unintended consequences. Harmonizing the heterogeneous nation was a great success but with it came strong nationalism and patriotism leading to some races attacking others. For example, some Germans were viewed as spies hence subject to violence and sometimes not allowed to mingle with others. To mend this would take a long time hence the war had permanent scar on the American public. Works Cited Source 1: Song by George M. Cohan, 1917. ‘Over there”. Source 2: ‘Spies and Lies” Source 3: “Bachelor of Atrocities’ Source 5: Meyer Susan, E. Introduction. In James Montgomery Flagg Poster Book. New York: Watson Guptill, 1975. Source 6: Germany as a Raging Beast Poster. Source 7: Crawford Anthony. Posters in George Marshall Research Foundation. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 1939. Source 8: Rawls Walton. Wake up America! World War I and the American Poster. New York: Abbeville Press, 1988. Sources 18-20: Curnbise Alfred E. War as Advertised: The Four Munite Men and America’s Crusade, 1917-1918. American Philosophical Society. Source 21: The Moving Picture World, 1918. DAP. Homogenizing a Pluralistic Nation: Propaganda During Worl War I. Read More