Did the First World War or the Second World War mark the pinnacle of Essay

Did the First World War or the Second World War mark the pinnacle of the importance of wartime propaganda before 1945 - Essay Example Recent advent of better and faster communication Medias like radio, television, print media and the internet have served to take it to even higher levels, with the propagandist being able to reach millions within a very short period. The word propaganda in its self has a negative undertone, although it does not necessarily have to be towards a negative undertaking. There are many uses of these persuasion methods to champion for just courses in mobilizing people to take positive actions regarding issues affecting their society. Historically the most pronounced use of propaganda is in the two world wars than it was in isolated case of civil wars that rocked the entire Europe and the Americas in the 16th and early 18th centuries. Aspects of propaganda As demonstrated in the First World War propaganda by Americans, it involves the use several aspects to gain the confidence and support of the masses. Wilson, the then president in 1917 formed a committee on public information purely for ra llying domestic support while communicating the intentions abroad. The committee application of its mandate best demonstrates the primary facets of propaganda in wars. These include; the use of emotional appeals, in which case the propagandist focuses on capturing the hearts of his target audience and not their minds at all. As observed by various scientists after the war, draining off emotional agitation into the desired activity is the propagandist best and most effective strategy. A simple publication of a young child suffering together with her pet during the war with Germans for instance was enough to turn all Americans into deep hatred for Germans and generate the enthusiasm needed for sustenance of the war. Positively such an article also could result to increased membership in the universal Red Cross society to help eliminated suffering as well as setting up of orphanages for abandoned pets. Analysts suggest that the failure of Germans propaganda against the Americans was by the simple appeal to common sense in explaining their cause other than using emotional appeals that create infatuation. Another technique that propaganda employs is demonization of the enemy in a great manner that everyone beliefs that they are the aggrieved parties in the whole situation. All their subjects easily hated Germans by simply portraying them as brutal inhumane rulers who flourished on committing atrocities against the rest of the society. The propagandist in this case used the promise of better working and living conditions as soon as the Germans were gotten rid of, a strategy which brought immense support of the American war against the Germans. The third face is the widespread dishonesty that propaganda prevails upon. As analysts observed at the close of the war in 1918, the organisers and decision makers at the helm of the American camp had used many lies and skewed promises that right from the start they knew were not possible, simply to ignite passion among the ma sses. Many of the stories published bore huge chunks of untruths that they dimmed appropriate for attainment of the desired outcome (Randal 167). Propaganda and World War One The First World War relied explicitly on propaganda to mobilise local citizens to support their respective armies. In Europe for instance, the Britons used various techniques to appeal