[Rhetorical Balkanization: War Propaganda 1917-2005]
War propaganda provides us with an interesting communication archetype with which to begin to demonstrate
the divisive power of rhetorical warfare. This collection of images and films attempts to display both the varying
artistic techniques and the accompanying language used to raise the morale of friendly forces, break the spirits
of the enemy, and prepare civilians for the challenges of a war-time environment. Stalin and Hitler extensively
used both platforms in the 1930s and 40s. On April 13, 1917, Wilson created the Committee on Public
Information (CPI) to promote the war domestically…which recruited heavily from business, media, academia,
and the art world. These techniques continue to be used today: seemingly innocuous bits of paper fluttering
gently to the earth, disturbed only by the jet streams of billion dollar fighter planes and the over blasts of laserguided smart bombs; evening news programs streaming live video of death and destruction.
It is this precise juxtaposition of passive warfare with the unbelievably destructive power of modern war
machines that makes this topic so interesting: how does a 4 x 5 inch piece of paper fit in with the powerful
arsenal of today’s war machines? To answer this question we should examine some common types of
propagandistic rhetoric. After identifying these common language techniques we can then examine specific
examples of leaflet propaganda. Simultaneously, we’ll look at early examples of cinematic propaganda.
Hopefully, this investigation will reveal a strategy that can be grafted onto an architectural practice, either by
identifying typologies of construction (linguistic/artistic/architectural) from which we can build upon, and/or
identifying methodologies of destruction for which we can build against.
[source: http://www.propagandacritic.com]
[filed by: sds; 2 April 2005]
[WWI Propaganda]
[Postcard style, diagramming the apparent benefits of replacing meat with cottage cheese and using less sugar.
[US Government issued directed at US citizens]
[date of occurrence: 1918]
[place of occurrence: United States]
[filed by: sds, 1 Apr 05]
[WWII Propaganda]
[Leaflet style, depicting the alleged power of the German missiles on the destruction of European cities.
[Nazi Germany Propaganda directed at US troops]
[date of occurrence: 1944]
[place of occurrence: Europe]
[filed by: sds, 1 Apr 05]
[Gulf War Propaganda]
[Leaflet style, depicting civilians and religious sites in the middle of a war zone. Translation of Arabic is as
follows:
Saddam’s first line of defense is innocent civilians.
The actions of Saddam are what provoked the attack of the world on Iraq. The coalition armies are doing
their best to prevent the harming of innocents, but Saddam has placed civilians at strategic military
points to die instead of his troops.]
[US, or Coalition Military Leaflet]
[date of occurrence: 1990-91]
[place of occurrence: Iraq or Kuwait]
[filed by: sds, 1 Apr 05]
[3 x 6 inch paper leaflet]
[Gulf War Propaganda]
[Leaflet style, depicting a coalition bomb. Translation of Arabic is as follows:
Warning!
This is just the beginning.
We wish that this bomb is real. We want to prevent the death of innocent people, but Saddam is leading
them towards destruction and death. We want to tell them the truth-Saddam is the reason.
The coalition armies are able to attack aggressively at any time and any place.
Warning!]
[US, or Coalition Military Leaflet]
[date of occurrence: 1990-91]
[place of occurrence: Iraq or Kuwait]
[filed by: sds, 1 Apr 05]
[3 x 6 inch paper leaflet]
[Gulf War Propaganda]
[Leaflet style, depicting Saddam fleeing the bombing of Iraq. Translation of Arabic is as follows:
Saddam is the only reason that Iraq is being bombed.
The actions of Saddam Hussein are what provoked war in Iraq. The allied armies are doing their best to
prevent innocents from being harmed but Saddam has purposely placed civilians in military positions to
die instead of the Iraqi army troops and so he is sacrificing the civilians and holy sites and history of
Iraq.
[US, or Coalition Military Leaflet]
[date of occurrence: 1990-91]
[place of occurrence: Iraq or Kuwait]
[filed by: sds, 1 Apr 05]
[3 x 6 inch paper leaflet]
[Gulf War Propaganda]
[Leaflet style, clearly stating the intent of humanitarian workers. Written in both Persian and English.]
[US, or Coalition Military Leaflet]
[date of occurrence: 1990-91]
[place of occurrence: Iraq or Kuwait]
[filed by: sds, 1 Apr 05]
[6 x 9 inch paper leaflet]
[Gulf War Propaganda]
[Leaflet style, depicting Iraqi currency with text on the back. The text is written in the form of a poem.
Translation as follows:
There is no difference between your money and this paper.
What are the available things in the country and what are the unavailable things?
Disease is spread and medicine is not available.
Famine is spread and food is unavailable.
Filthiness is spreading but water and soap we don’t have.
Darkness is over us, but electricity we don’t have.
You need protection, but your husband is not here.
You fear Saddam, but revolting is not on your mind.
Death is staring at you and you don’t have power to change it.
People of Iraq: you know what might happen and you are staying at your home.
Military, civilians, seniors, youth, women, men, it is time to remember the call of beauty. Let’s take to the
streets and alleys to make Saddam and his regime fall.]
[US, or Coalition Military Leaflet]
[date of occurrence: 1990-91]
[place of occurrence: Iraq or Kuwait]
[filed by: sds, 1 Apr 05]
[3 x 6.5 inch paper
leaflet]
[Gulf War Propaganda]
[Leaflet style, showing a picture of Saddam Hussein with text on the back. Translation as follows:
Front: The cold face of death and war.
Back: Sons of Iraq: with your death you lengthen the life of Saddam Hussein, while you shorten the life
of our country.]
[US, or Coalition Military Leaflet]
[date of occurrence: 1990-91]
[place of occurrence: Iraq or Kuwait]
[filed by: sds, 1 Apr 05]
[4 x 5 inch paper leaflet]
[Cold War Propaganda]
[Film by U.S. Federal Civil Defense Administration]
[Stills from film/animation showing children how to recognize a nuclear explosion and take cover from the blast]
[date of occurrence: 1951]
[place of occurrence: United States]
[filed by: sds, 1 Apr 05]
[WWII Propaganda]
[Film by U.S. Office of War Information]
[Stills from film showing college-age men in military training and the women who will take over their previous jobs
when the men go to war]
[date of occurrence: 1942]
[place of occurrence: United States]
[filed by: sds, 1 Apr 05]