Propaganda Postcards of World War I Thanks to propaganda- cards.com/ propaganda- cards.com/ propaganda-

Propaganda Propaganda Postcards Postcards

of World War Iof World War I

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Role of Postcards during Role of Postcards during WWIWWI

Postal cards were a universal medium of Postal cards were a universal medium of communication at a time when the only communication at a time when the only avenues of mass communication were avenues of mass communication were printed newspapers, journals, books, posters printed newspapers, journals, books, posters and the mail. and the mail.

Postal cards were immensely popular and Postal cards were immensely popular and the economic mainstay of a vast and diverse the economic mainstay of a vast and diverse printing industry throughout western Europe. printing industry throughout western Europe.

Postcards were cheap, inexpensive to send, Postcards were cheap, inexpensive to send, ubiquitously available and endlessly creative ubiquitously available and endlessly creative in the message their pictures conveyed. in the message their pictures conveyed.

Role of Postcards (Cont.)Role of Postcards (Cont.) Because they were a major means of Because they were a major means of

communication, postcards were produced to communication, postcards were produced to communicate the full range of human communicate the full range of human thought and intent: from humor to nostalgia thought and intent: from humor to nostalgia to joy to hate. to joy to hate.

In times of war there is a distillation of belief In times of war there is a distillation of belief and motivation and emotion that is clearly and motivation and emotion that is clearly reflected in the cards. reflected in the cards.

They are not merely snapshots of a world at They are not merely snapshots of a world at war. They are virtual windows into the minds war. They are virtual windows into the minds and hearts of millions who fought that war and hearts of millions who fought that war on the battlefields and the home front as on the battlefields and the home front as well. well.

Central Powers:  Central Powers:  Celebrating AlliancesCelebrating Alliances

In a time of war, belligerents always seek to boost In a time of war, belligerents always seek to boost civilian and soldier morale and cooperation by civilian and soldier morale and cooperation by emphasizing that their nation does not fight alone. emphasizing that their nation does not fight alone.

Their nation's fate, and power, are favorably Their nation's fate, and power, are favorably enhanced because of alliance and association with enhanced because of alliance and association with the people and leadership of other nations. the people and leadership of other nations.

The imperative to highlight and celebrate the The imperative to highlight and celebrate the alliance between Germany and Austria-Hungary was alliance between Germany and Austria-Hungary was especially felt in Germany from the earliest days of especially felt in Germany from the earliest days of the war as the two Central allies were immediately the war as the two Central allies were immediately and simultaneously facing the three great empires and simultaneously facing the three great empires of Russia, Great Britain and France. of Russia, Great Britain and France.

There were three types of images used by the There were three types of images used by the Central Powers propagandists to symbolize the Central Powers propagandists to symbolize the wartime alliance: wartime alliance:

1- 1- The royal heads of stateThe royal heads of state Germany's Kaiser Germany's Kaiser

(emperor) Wilhelm II (emperor) Wilhelm II (middle aged with (middle aged with upswept moustache).upswept moustache).

Austria-Hungary's Kaiser Austria-Hungary's Kaiser (emperor) Franz Josef I (old (emperor) Franz Josef I (old man with white side man with white side whiskers).whiskers).

Ottoman Turkey's Sultan Ottoman Turkey's Sultan Mehmed Rechad V (middle Mehmed Rechad V (middle aged, clean shaven with aged, clean shaven with white moustache (later white moustache (later also with beard) and fez).also with beard) and fez).

Bulgaria's King (czar) Bulgaria's King (czar) Ferdinand I (older man Ferdinand I (older man with full beard). with full beard).

2- National flags and coats of 2- National flags and coats of armsarms

33- Soldiers (and children - Soldiers (and children dressed as soldiers) in dressed as soldiers) in stereotypical uniformsstereotypical uniforms

Germany's helmet with a spike Germany's helmet with a spike on the top (till mid-1916)on the top (till mid-1916)

Austria-Hungary's vertically Austria-Hungary's vertically conical hat with a small visorconical hat with a small visor

Ottoman Turkey's brimless fezOttoman Turkey's brimless fez Bulgaria's flat topped field cap Bulgaria's flat topped field cap

with wide brim with wide brim

Primary symbols used in propaganda to Primary symbols used in propaganda to represent the Allied Powers membersrepresent the Allied Powers members

Persons of the Heads of State (Kings, Persons of the Heads of State (Kings, Prime Ministers and Presidents -Prime Ministers and Presidents -primarily  Great Britain, France, Russia, primarily  Great Britain, France, Russia, Belgium, Italy and later the USA)Belgium, Italy and later the USA)

National flags (all Allied Powers)National flags (all Allied Powers) Soldiers of each countries in their Soldiers of each countries in their

distinctive uniforms (primarily Great distinctive uniforms (primarily Great Britain,France, Russia, Belgium, Italy Britain,France, Russia, Belgium, Italy and later the USA)and later the USA)

Animals, flowers, naval motifsAnimals, flowers, naval motifs

Canada, 1916Canada, 1916

London, 1915London, 1915

““For For Honor! For Honor! For the Liberty the Liberty of the of the World!”World!”

London, 1916London, 1916

““United United against the against the Barbarians”Barbarians”

““Towards Towards Victory”Victory”

USA, 1917USA, 1917

Discussion QuestionsDiscussion Questions

How are the images of both the Allied How are the images of both the Allied and Central Powers similar? and Central Powers similar?

What is the implication of this What is the implication of this similarity?similarity?

How are these postcard images How are these postcard images different from the images of war different from the images of war portrayed in portrayed in All Quiet on the Western All Quiet on the Western FrontFront??

Why are the images different?Why are the images different?

Anti-War Propaganda Anti-War Propaganda Postcard or Recruitment Poster Postcard or Recruitment Poster

AssignmentAssignmentWork with a partner to:Work with a partner to:

– Create a slogan that reflects the Create a slogan that reflects the realities of warrealities of war as experienced as experienced by Paul and his friendsby Paul and his friends

– Draw a literal or symbolic image to Draw a literal or symbolic image to represent the slogan or illustrate represent the slogan or illustrate your pointyour point