In this informational text, Shelby Ostergaard defines what propaganda is and explains how it
influences people's beliefs and actions. She discusses several famous historical examples of
propaganda and examines the impact that new technologies have on its reach. As you read,
make note of the details that support how propaganda has been used throughout history.
Mass media are the methods we use to
communicate with large numbers of people at
one time. We live in the age of mass media,
whether that’s social media, the Internet,
television or even advertising. Propaganda is
misinformation that is intentionally circulated
through mass media with a political agenda.1
In the past, governments in many different
parts of the world, often during times of war,
have used everything from newspaper articles
to movie previews to disperse propaganda.
Propaganda has been used to encourage
soldiers to fight under the worst conditions, to
instruct civilians to ration their food during
wartime, and to convince citizens to hate the
enemy. This misinformation has taken form in
political cartoons that depict a wartime
enemy as animal-like, and in ads or posters
that exaggerate the success of a war effort.
The authors of propaganda try to convey their political agenda through the messages
embedded in their slogans, writing, or art. Propaganda is like a political advertisement with a
shaky relationship to the truth.
Nazi Germany showcased the unbelievable power of propaganda. Hitler was a huge proponent
of the use of propaganda; writing in Mein Kampf2
in 1926 that, “Propaganda tries to force a
doctrine on the whole people... Propaganda works on the general public from the standpoint of
an idea and makes them ripe for the victory of this idea.” After the Nazis seized power in 1933,
[1]
1. Underlying intentions or motives of a particular group
2. an autobiographical book by Adolph Hitler, published in 1925
1
Hitler quickly established a Reich Ministry of Enlightenment and Propaganda, headed by Joseph
Goebbels. The Ministry’s mission was to ensure that Nazi ideas of racism, anti-Semitism,3
and
anti-Bolshevism4
became popular in Germany. The Nazi message was communicated through
art, music, theater, films, books, radio, educational materials, and the press. Through every
medium of culture, the German people were assaulted by the message that non-Jewish German
people represented a better race, that the Germans had suffered unfairly after World War I,
and that this suffering was the fault of “inferior” races. Films portrayed Jews as rat-like creatures
that infiltrated5
societies. Newspapers ran editorials and comics that supported this view. Later,
as the Germans began to lose World War II, the Nazis used propaganda to convince ordinary
Germans that they were actually still winning and that citizens should continue their support for
the war effort.
Nazis used propaganda extensively, but most governments use some form of propaganda. In
both World War I and World War II, governments on both sides of the war ran propaganda
campaigns to convince citizens to enlist. These campaigns misled citizens by downplaying the
horror of war conditions, especially in WWI, and by emphasizing the evils and inhumanity of the
enemy. In the decades following World War II, during what was known as the Cold War,6
both
the Soviet Union and the United States ran extensive propaganda campaigns. Both countries
sought to convince its citizens of the evil and hypocrisy7
of the other side. Both governments
also sought to convince citizens that measures taken during the Cold War, such as the build-up
of nuclear weapons, were worth it.
The battle for people’s minds is as old as history itself. Greek writers often complained of the
lies told by their political rivals. In the late 1500s, after England defeated the Spanish Armada,
Spain spread word of the exact opposite — that they had achieved a decisive victory over
England. Propaganda has been a part of war for as long as humans have been able to spread
information, but propaganda is not just a part of history books.
Modern nations like North Korea use propaganda extensively. When the country suffered from
extensive famine8
in the 1990s, the government produced posters that encouraged people to
eat only two meals a day for its health benefits. Still, museums in North Korea teach visitors
about American atrocities9
that never occurred. North Koreans are told that their leaders are
[5]
3. hostility towards or discrimination against Jews as a religious, ethnic, or racial group
4. violence and discrimination against followers of the communist form of government
adopted in Russia
5. Infiltrate (verb) to move into secretly or gradually, especially with hostile intent
6. a time of political and military tension between the United States and the Soviet Union
following WWII
7. Hypocrisy (noun) the act of pretending to have a certain virtue or belief, and then acting in
the opposite way
8. extreme scarcity of food
9. Atrocity (noun) an extremely wicked or cruel act
This text offers a comprehensive exploration of the history, methods, and impacts of propaganda. Here are some key details that support how propaganda has been used throughout history:
Definition and Medium: The text clarifies that propaganda is misinformation intentionally circulated with a political agenda, disseminated through mass media such as newspapers, movies, television, and social media. This highlights its adaptability throughout different eras.
Historical Usage in Wars: Governments have historically used propaganda during wartime. For instance, examples include:
Encouraging Soldiers: Initiatives that prompted soldiers to enlist and fight under dire conditions.
Civilian Instructions: Messaging that instructed citizens to ration resources during wartime.
Demonizing Enemies: Propaganda that fostered hatred of the enemy, often through degrading depictions in political cartoons and ads.
Nazi Germany: A prominent historical example provided is Nazi Germany, where propaganda was systematized under Hitler’s regime. The establishment of the Reich Ministry of Enlightenment and Propaganda played a crucial role in spreading Nazi ideologies through various forms of media. This included films that depicted Jews negatively and misinformation that maintained public support during the declining phases of World War II.
World War Campaigns: Both World Wars saw extensive propaganda campaigns by various governments. This often included the glorification of military enlistment while downplaying the horrors of war. Governments portrayed their enemies as morally repugnant and dehumanized them to instill fear and resolve among citizens.
Cold War Propaganda: The Cold War is highlighted as a period where both the United States and the Soviet Union deployed extensive propaganda to promote their ideologies and to justify military expenditures to their citizens. Each side framed the other as evil, effectively manipulating public perception.
Historical Complaints: The text indicates that the phenomenon of propaganda is not new; even ancient Greek writers noted the lies spread by political rivals. This suggests that misinformation has been a tactic in political discourse for centuries.
Current Examples: Modern examples, such as North Korea’s use of propaganda, illustrate that the practice continues today. The state-controlled information limits citizens' understanding and promotes an idealized representation of their leaders and living conditions, regardless of the reality.
Corporate and Non-Governmental Propaganda: Beyond governments, corporations and non-profits also engage in propaganda-like practices, especially in the digital age. The spread of misinformation for financial gain or political advocacy through viral social media content exemplifies the broader reach of propaganda techniques today.
Modern Technology's Impact: The rise of the Internet has transformed the landscape of propaganda dissemination, allowing for rapid creation and sharing of misleading information, often referred to as "fake news." This reflects how new technologies have expanded the capabilities for spreading propaganda beyond traditional media.
Manipulation vs. Persuasion: The text concludes by distinguishing propaganda from persuasion, underlining that propaganda often relies on manipulation rather than honest engagement with ideas. This shift in perception emphasizes a growing skepticism towards the motivations behind informational campaigns.
Taken together, these points illustrate that propaganda has been a critical tool of influence throughout history, consistently adapting to the available technologies and methodologies for communication, all while aiming to shape public beliefs and behaviors.
1. Which of the following best describes the main purpose of propaganda as discussed in the article?(5 points) Responses A) To entertain the public A) To entertain the public B) To spread information neutrally B) To spread information neutrally C) To influence public opinion and behavior C) To influence public opinion and behavior C) To influence public opinion and behavior
The best response that describes the main purpose of propaganda as discussed in the article is:
C) To influence public opinion and behavior
The article emphasizes that propaganda is misinformation intentionally circulated with a political agenda, aimed at shaping the beliefs and actions of the public.
6. According to the article, what is the significance of emotional appeal in propaganda?(5 points) Responses A) Emotional appeal is irrelevant in propaganda. A) Emotional appeal is irrelevant in propaganda. B) Emotional appeal is used to bypass logical reasoning and directly influence people’s feelings. B) Emotional appeal is used to bypass logical reasoning and directly influence people’s feelings. C) Emotional appeal weakens the effectiveness of propaganda. C) Emotional appeal weakens the effectiveness of propaganda. D) Emotional appeal is only used in propaganda targeting children.
The correct response according to the article is:
B) Emotional appeal is used to bypass logical reasoning and directly influence people’s feelings.
This reflects how propaganda often aims to evoke specific emotions in order to sway public opinion and behavior, rather than relying on logical arguments.
7. What does the article suggest about the role of propaganda during wartime?(5 points) Responses A) Propaganda has little influence during wars. A) Propaganda has little influence during wars. B) Propaganda is used primarily for entertainment purposes during wars. B) Propaganda is used primarily for entertainment purposes during wars. C) Propaganda is a powerful tool for shaping public perception and morale during wars. C) Propaganda is a powerful tool for shaping public perception and morale during wars. D) Propaganda is used to provide neutral information to the public during wars.
The correct response according to the article is:
C) Propaganda is a powerful tool for shaping public perception and morale during wars.
The article discusses how governments have historically used propaganda during wartime to encourage enlistment, instruct civilians, demonize enemies, and maintain public support, demonstrating its significant role in influencing public perception and morale.
8. How does the author use historical examples to support the claim that propaganda is a longstanding practice?(5 points) Responses A) By showing how propaganda has evolved over time. A) By showing how propaganda has evolved over time. B) By comparing propaganda in different countries. B) By comparing propaganda in different countries. C) By citing examples from ancient times to the modern era. C) By citing examples from ancient times to the modern era. D) By analyzing propaganda in recent political campaigns.
The correct response according to the article is:
C) By citing examples from ancient times to the modern era.
The author provides various historical examples, from Greek writers complaining about lies in political discourse to the use of propaganda in Nazi Germany and modern North Korea, to illustrate that propaganda has been a consistent and longstanding practice throughout history.
9. What is the meaning of the word disseminating as it is used in paragraph 6 of the article?(5 points) Responses A) Concealing or hiding A) Concealing or hiding B) Restricting or limiting B) Restricting or limiting C) Spreading or distributing widely C) Spreading or distributing widely D) Modifying or changing
The correct response regarding the meaning of the word disseminating as it is used in paragraph 6 of the article is:
C) Spreading or distributing widely.
In the context of the article, disseminating refers to the act of spreading information, especially misinformation, to a large audience.
1 answer