Aim: Should the government use propaganda to gain support?
Topic: WWI Propaganda
Document #1: Propaganda
As American entered World War I and sent millions of soldiers overseas in the American Expeditionary Force,
America needed to convince its men to serve in the army and its women to serve as nurses and to fill the jobs of men in the
factories. To do this, the U.S. government created the Committee of Public Information to create propaganda. Propaganda is
information that is spread deliberately to influence people’s thoughts or actions. The information given may be true. But it is
usually one-sided and shown in a distorted manner. Propaganda was used in earlier times, but it was never used as widely as
during World War I. Nations use propaganda techniques to influence civilians and the military to think that they should help out
in the war.
1) What is propaganda? Why did America need to have the Committee of Public Information to create propaganda?
Document #2: FIVE TECHNIQUES OF PROPAGANDA
1. Propaganda often present half-truths, or only facts that support a specific cause. Propaganda is one-sided.
2. Propaganda uses name-calling.
3. Propaganda uses emotion to make a person identify a cause with a famous person or a noble idea, such a religion,
patriotism, motherhood, etc.
4. Propaganda shows the other side in the worst possible way – as blood-thirsty murders, baby killers, etc.
5. Propaganda usually has a headline (large) message to gain attention, a picture to illustrate that message and a submessage with more detail.
1) Why would these techniques be effective to persuade someone?
DIRECTIONS: Analyze the different propaganda used during WWI and fill in the chart below. Use the vocabulary box
below to help you.
Vocabulary:
Brute: beast, animal like qualities
(War) Bond: the government sells to people during wartime to have money for war. Later these bonds can be cashed in for
more than you paid for them.
Enlist: Sign up (ex: someone signs up to join the military)
Kultur: German word meaning culture
Hun: uncivilized barbarian destroyer
Liberty: freedom
Menace: some who is danger to society
Pine: ache, want, suffer
Yanks: American soldiers
PROPAGANDA
TITLE
OVER THERE
“We are saving you..
YOU save FOOD
Well fed soldiers
WILL WIN the war
I Want You
Destroy this Mad
Brute..ENLIST
Beat Back the HUN
with LIBERTY BONDS
Our Greatest Mother
Join
WHAT IS THIS PIECE OF
PROPAGANDA PERSUADING PEOPLE
TO DO?
WHAT PROPAGANDA TECHNIQUE
ARE THEY USING?
NAME:
BAND:
WORLD WAR I PROPAGANDA
DIRECTIONS: After analyzing the different propaganda techniques used during WWI, choose one of the
techniques and create a propaganda poster OR song for World War I and explain its purpose and how you
accomplish that purpose with the propaganda techniques.
EXPLANATION (AT LEAST 5 SENTENCES):
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EXCELLENT
Chose a propaganda technique
Uses relevant information in the
activity that demonstrates a clear and
detailed understanding of the WWI
propaganda and connects to technique
chosen
Uses key words
Gives a detailed explanation of
propaganda technique used and its
purpose
Product is creative, accurate, and
complete





GOOD
Chose a propaganda technique
Uses relevant information in the activity that
demonstrates a clear and somewhat detailed
understanding of the WWI propaganda and
connects to technique chosen
Uses keywords
Gives a somewhat of a detailed explanation
of propaganda technique used and its purpose
Product is complete and creative




SATISFACTORY
Chose a propaganda technique
Not enough details and information
on the WWI propaganda and/or
information does not connect to
technique chosen
Uses one key word and/or two key
words, but does not display a clear
understanding of the definition.
Does not give enough details in
his/her explanation of propaganda
technique used and its purpose or
does not complete.