Canadian PropagandaWorld War One

What is Propaganda?

• “the spreading of ideas, information, or rumor for the purpose of helping or injuring an institution, a cause, or a person” (Webster’s Dictionary)

•Propaganda is an inexpensive and efficient means of spreading a message to mass population

During WWI, all countries used propaganda posters for two main reasons:

1) As a way to justify involvement in the war to their own population

2) As a means of obtaining men, money and resources to sustain the military campaign

Canadian Propaganda

•Everyone was encouraged to take some sort of action:–Young, healthy men were urged to enlist as soldiers

–Women were to encourage men to enlist in the army

–They were also to preserve food due to shortages to make sure that nothing was wasted

–All adults were targeted to buy Victory Bonds and to buy into the “Canadian Patriotic Fund”

–Boys were asked to work on farms to overcome labour shortages

–Young children were encouraged to buy “thrift stamps” to support the war

Tactics Used in Propaganda•Guilt:

–Showing pictures of soldiers who need “your” help

–Saying one would be selfish not to help out

•Honour:-To fight is the noble thing to do

•Patriotism:-“Your country needs you now!”

•Fear:–If we don’t win, the war will come here

•Obligation:–If you can’t fight then you should contribute in other ways

•Peer Pressure:-Everyone has a role to play, what will you do?

-“Daddy, what did you do in the Great War?”