This journal detailed propaganda in a more different tone then usual regarding children and the war effort in the United States. The argument of this journal was to look at how World War 1 propaganda drew children into the war. The journal talked about how the war crystallized modern techniques of propaganda with every belligerent nation launching enormous propaganda campaigns being aimed at children. The journal did talk about how some propaganda sources were made for children such as children magazines targeting them using war ideals and to also manipulate children.
The journal also made a note how effective the propaganda was in fooling guardians or parents. The goal was to manipulate parents into favoring the war which would then pass onto their children. Three children magazines were examined and used in this journal St. Nicholas Illustrated Magazine for Boys and Girls, American Boy and The Rally. St. Nicholas Illustrated Magazine for Boys and Girls target audience was young children at the age of five till high school. While American Boy is about the same expect it starts at nine year olds. While The Rally was popular everywhere with age groups. How did they accomplish manipulating children by denying the reality of battle and creating a myth?
The First World War was to give the Myth of the War. To fight in the war was one goal and dream in life and one they had to stride for growing up by going to a recruitment center and enlisting. Hiding the true meaning of the war and knowing once they realize what they were told was false it be too late. Each magazine job was to make sure it was known that fighting for your country was the best thing one can do in their lives and they accomplished it by spreading patriotism. There was also a couple of children propaganda posters that were used in the journal to reinforce the argument on how propaganda was used.
Collins, Ross F. “This Is Your Propaganda, Kids.” Journalism History 38, no. 2 (April 2012): 13-22. Accessed October 1, 2018. doi:http://web.a.ebscohost.com.mutex.gmu.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=8&sid=56778e12-c3f7-443d-9a23-5d06db5c7c01@sdc-v-sessmgr04.
For my second secondary source I used the book Selling the Great War the Making of American Propaganda by Alan Axelford. The book is based on American propaganda that occurred during World War 1 and how that influenced American involvement future wars. The book also follows the career of George Creel who was an important member of the Committee on Public Information serving Wilson before and during World War 1 to influence public opinion about his administration. The argument of the book is present on how success of selling the great war keeping it in good flavor to the American people. Creel taking head as Committee on Public Information job was to sell the war using the slogan “fight to make the world safe for democracy.” This is a tool to tell people the world is in danger it’s up to the US and you to save the world from democracy.
The book defined propaganda is the “message the picture of reality the state wants the people to receive or believe.” There was belief propaganda can be factually based use it to your advantage present people with evidence. Creel believed if this was done correctly people would believe what the state, country or Woodrow Wilson wanted to think. The aim of propaganda in World War 1 was to keep fueling the focus on the war. Creel also knew another aim for propaganda in serving Wilson agenda was conveying truth of given policy and reveal the myths behind it. In his effort knowing propaganda was needed to fuel the US war machine grab bodies for the trenches Creel went on a propaganda campaign. Creel would serve Wilson ideals throughout World War 1 and through him help create the US war machine through his propaganda tactics
Axelrod, Alan. Selling the Great War: The Making of American Propaganda. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2009.
