Lusitania & the Power of

Propaganda

Lusitania & the Power of Propaganda

Part I: Read and analyze the background information to support your propaganda poster assignment.

Part I: Read and analyze the background information to support your propaganda poster assignment.
Neutrality In War? 1. In what was America not really neutral
When “The Great War” erupted in Europe, America, under during the first years of World War I?
President Wilson, declared neutrality. Not only did Wilson
abhor war personally, the American people were not America still had business interests with
enthusiastic about getting involved in a bloody and horrific war Great Britain, so they wanted them to win
that did not seem to impact America all that much. However,
America was not truly neutral as the country still had major so they can still trade.
business interests in Europe and particularly with the Allied
Powers and Great Britain. And with loans, food goods, and
military armaments being traded with Britain, Germany did not
quite see America as a fully neutral party.

The Lusitania & Submarine Warfare 2. Why did Germany fire upon the Lusitania?
Then, in May of 1915, the Lusitania, a passenger cruise liner,
Americans were on the ship when they
left New York Harbor heading to England right through waters
that were a war zone. Germany, fearing that Americans might were told not to, so they sunk the ship.
travel on the liner, took out ads encouraging Americans not to
travel in the warzone but still over 100 went aboard the
Lusitania. The ship was also carrying armaments for Britain
and when it was near its final destination, it was shot down by a
German U-boat or submarine. The sinking of the Lusitania 3. Why did submarine warfare lead to
killed over 1,000 innocent people, 128 of them being America declaring war?
Americans. This enraged Americans and moved many to want Because Germany broke several
to start preparing for war. Germany apologized but tensions
continued to grow between the nations as Germany broke promises saying they wouldn't attack
several promises to not attack American merchant ships. American ships
Eventually, America declared war on April 2, 1917.

PROPAGANDA & WAR 4. What is the purpose of propaganda and

Propaganda is simply any media that tries to persuade or why was it used during the war?
influence the way you feel or think about something. Radio
The purpose of propaganda is to show
news, movies, cartoons, books, and posters can be
propaganda- designed to change how you feel after viewing it. what other countries are doing, but they
And propaganda became incredibly important during the war as exaggerate it to make them look worse. It
all nations tried to convince their citizens of the importance of
was used during war because to
supporting the war in many different ways. Propaganda aimed
at women convinced them to become nurses, conserve meat in persuade people to fight in the war.
the kitchen, plant victory gardens and men were asked to buy
war bonds and join the military. Winning the minds of the
people helped to win battles in the fields.

TOOLS OF PROPAGANDA 5. What’s the main difference between news

There are many different ‘ tools’ or methods that effective and propaganda?
propaganda which include: Demonization (making someone/a
group look evil), catchy slogans (Just do it!), appealing to
emotions (anger, fear, joy), patriotism (love your country), and
join the band-wagon (do it because everyone else is!).
History for Humans©
 influence the way you feel or think about something. Radio
news, movies, cartoons, books, and posters can be
Lusitania & the Power of
propaganda- designed to change how you feel after viewing it.
And propaganda became incredibly important during the war as
Propaganda
all nations tried to convince their citizens of the importance of
supporting the war in many different ways. Propaganda aimed
at women convinced them to become nurses, conserve meat in
the kitchen, plant victory gardens and men were asked to buy
war bonds and join the military. Winning the minds of the
people
Part helped
I: Read andto win battlesthe
analyze in the fields.
background information to support your propaganda poster assignment.

TOOLS OF PROPAGANDA 5. What’s the main difference between news

There are many different ‘ tools’ or methods that effective and propaganda?
propaganda which include: Demonization (making someone/a
group look evil), catchy slogans (Just do it!), appealing to News is used to explain what's
emotions (anger, fear, joy), patriotism (love your country), and happening, propaganda is used to get
join the band-wagon (do it because everyone else is!).
people to join the war.
6. What propaganda tools do you notice
these posters using?

● Destroy This Mad Brute:

Some tools used are demonization

● Will you have a part in Victory?

Some tools used are patriotism

appealing to emotions

Part II: Design Your Lusitania propaganda poster

Directions: Use what you learned about the Lusitania and propaganda to design your own, original, propaganda poster.
Consider the purpose of the poster- buy war bonds, join the army, volunteer as a nurse? Consider who your audience would be and
then what propaganda tools would be best? Use at least two. Use the space below or another paper if you want more space.

Propaganda tools used: _________________________________________________________________

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