Analysing the posters

The conscription propaganda posters were quite different to the recruitment posters. After analysing these posters, the differences became obvious. The recruitment posters were trying to get as many soldiers possible to enlist. These posters usually put pressure on soldiers but sometimes put it on the family and friends of soldiers that didn’t enlist. It made the soldiers that didn’t fight feel guilty and unworthy. It also put a sense of shame on the fit men that didn’t go to war. Many of these recruitment posters showed pictures of men in war. Another way of trying to get men to enlist was by making the war seem like a form of manliness. They made posters that showed images of ‘real’ men, and it showed that you weren’t a ‘real’ man unless you went to war. Some posters also showed how if they didn’t go to war the war would come to them and they’d be invaded by Germans.  

Conscription propagandas were also used in the war. The conscription posters were to say that there should be a new law made that men had to go to war. There were 2 sides to this: yes or no. This party pushing for conscription was defeated as the majority voted ‘NO’. However they were not happy with the outcome and kept pushing. In the second bill, they lost by more and had no choice but to give up. This propaganda influenced the nation to make a decision about the war, and not just sit on the fence like many would have probably done so.



Video blog

This clip shows that propagandas really flourished during world war one. Before that, they were hardly recognized. This clip goes into detail of how diverse the propagandas were at this time. They were used both for recruitment and conscription. People were affected by these posters and these propagandas were able to have a strong influence over the general public.

Before propagandas were introduced, the government feared that they would lose their power over the public and that they’d create an uprising. However they soon realised that what they feared could be controlled with propagandas. Other major companies soon realised the power of propagandas and they too, started using them.

If it weren’t for propaganda the course of history would be changed altogether.

Propagandas

(Letter from young man to his girlfriend)

Dear my love Angelina,

I am writing you this letter because it’s too hard for me to tell you this in person. I am going to war.I can’t stay here anymore, it’s too hard. I can’t walk down the street without being spat on or called a coward. I was given a white feather today. I am publicly disgraced. I never wanted to go to war. I hate fighting. I don’t believe that violence is the answer to anything.

This morning when I went out recruitment posters were shoved in my face. Women and children just scorn at me as if they’re blaming me that their men had to go to war. They make me feel terrible. One of the posters asked, “What will your children say their dad did to help the war?” This made me think about if we have children, what they would say to their friends about their dad going to war. I want our children to be proud of me, not embarrassed by the fact that I was too cowardly to fight in the war.

I am really sorry I wasn’t able to tell you this in  person, I promise to come back soon.

Love always,

Frank. 

About propagandas

History of propagandas

Propaganda: Official government communications to the public that are designed to influence opinion. The information may be true or false, but is always carefully selected for its political effect. (dictionary.com)

Propagandas during world one were used as a way of the government to control the views of the general public. Their main aim was to get men to feel strongly about nationalism and hatred towards their enemy. As a result the truth was often overlooked and sidelined.

At that time, Australia was against conscription and propagandas were the only way to increase their numbers in the army. Along with posters, the government also sent out postcards to the homes of men that had not yet enlisted. They were targeting men’s guilt.

However, not all of the posters were aimed at recruiting more soldiers but there were some that targeted women and others helped the army gain money and resources to sustain the army.

Other sources of media were also used such as newspapers. Newspaper editors were expected to write articles and advertise pro-war. Their headlines were designed to provoke emotions and their articles exaggerated the truth. They made it seem as if they were winning all of their battles and their soldiers were saints battling demons.

Overview of WW1

The origins:

Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife

There are four main reasons along with a trigger event that initiated world war one. They are imperialism, nationalism, militarism, the alliance system and the trigger was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife. There was strong tension between the four main powers of Europe for four years prior to WW1 breaking out. The trigger was simply an excuse.

Australia’s involvement:

The main reason Australia was involved in WW1 was because of its loyalty to Britain. However, there were many other reasons for their involvement such as, the pressure from other countries, wanted to prevent Germany expanding its empire and wanted to earn a better reputation and respect as a country.

Australia’s initial response:

Australia responded with enthusiasm and patriotism. Although many Australians were proud of entering the war, many others frowned upon the idea of Australia’s involvement. The people that didn’t approve were either of Irish decent or pacifists.

Conclusion:

After 4 years of violence and hardship, the war came to an end but not without having made its mark upon our world. There was a total of 215 585 casualties, over half of the soldiers that went to war. Australia came from the war victorious but paid its price.

Map of europe in 1914