World War I Propaganda On-Line Assignment

Go to firstworldwar.com

Choose the section “Propaganda/Posters” 

Write your answers to these questions in your notes in your class notes section of your notebook (following the notes you took on the "-ism" causes of World War I from Feb. 25 and 26). Title it “World War I Propaganda” and date it Monday, 3/8/10; write in pen.

  1. Read the summary on the main page of this section. Describe in two or three sentences the purposes of propaganda during this war. Note that the United States produced the most propaganda posters during this war, even though the U.S. played a relatively insignificant role in the war’s early years. Explain why you think the U.S. produced so much propaganda.
  2. On the right-hand side of the page you will find a list of countries. Click on France. Click on the pile of poster images and keep clicking through 32 posters until you get to the poster that shows an African soldier running and holding up a gun. The translation of the poster reads “Journey of the African Army and Colonial Troops.” Look at this picture. Write what you think the purpose of this poster is. Who is the audience for this poster?
  3. Click on the German posters and read the introduction to the German propaganda posters. While you may not read German, look at the eighth poster (it is an image of Jesus). Describe what you see here and what you think the poster’s purpose is.
  4. Click on the posters from the U.K. (Great Britain). Look at the “Daddy, What did YOU do in the Great War” poster (the seventh poster in the pile). Describe what you see in this poster and what you think the purpose of the poster is. How successful do you think this poster was in accomplishing its purpose? Now, keep clicking until you arrive at the poster entitled “Women of Britain Say ‘Go.’” Describe what you see in the poster. Who is this poster supposed to appeal to? How successful do you think the poster would be on its intended audience?
  5. Browse the posters from the U.S. (there lots to choose from!). Pick one you like, describe the poster graphically (what does it look like). Talk about what the purpose of this poster is and to what degree you think it would be effective. In #1 you indicated why you think the U.S. produced so much propaganda. What can you add to your answer now?
  6. The U.S. recently has been fighting wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. We don’t see posters around like the ones you’ve looked at in this assignment. Do you think the U.S. still uses propaganda to help it fight its wars? Has the method of propaganda changed? How so? What evidence can you give to support your answer?