Propaganda in WW1

Propaganda in WW1

Assess the impact of propaganda on both the British and German home-fronts during The Great War 1914 -1918.

During the Great War of 1914 – 1918 propaganda on the British and German home-fronts had both negative and positive effects. By analysing evidence such as propaganda: posters, cartoons, photographs and quotes we can examine what impact propaganda had on the home-fronts.

Propaganda refers to the exaggeration of facts or even total lies that were systematically spread out. Articles of propaganda were made by artists, photographers and filmmakers, although what they put into the piece was decided by government officials and was heavily censored. Both British and German governments had gone to extreme lengths to censor, manipulate and distort photos, cartoons and films so the main message would be to enlist in this Great War that would be “all over by Christmas”. For example, photographs were manipulated by combining portions of two or more to emphasise certain details and draw attention away from the less important aspects such as dying soldiers or dead bodies of civilians. The use of propaganda had been immense and triumphant but more so in Britain than Germany. Propaganda had been a fundamental element in winning the war.

With the passing of the Defence of the Realm Act in August 1914, the British government had the power to control information and arrest anyone performing any action that was deemed to threaten state security. Restricting information was one of the methods utilised by the government. This meant that journalists were forbidden from the front lines. Eventually the government had employed reporters and photographers that were sent to the front lines, but they had not come back with the reality of the war but instead with lies and exaggerations about the conditions in trenches and war-zones. Journalists felt that public morale could not face up to the harsh realities of the battlefield.   The organisation of propaganda had changed...