What is Propaganda?

According to Merriam-Webster, propaganda involves information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote or publicize a particular political cause or point of view.

Demonization

This tool involves portraying the enemy as purely evil, menacing, murderous, and aggressive. The propaganda attempts to remove all confusion and question about whom the public should hate. The enemy may be portrayed as some kind of beast or even the devil himself. This tool becomes more powerful when the enemy can be blame for committing atrocities against women, children, or other innocent noncombatants.

Humor and Caricatures

This tool involves capturing the viewer’s attention through the use of humor to promote the war effort. The enemy is almost always the butt of the jokes used by propaganda.

Emotional Appeals

This tool involves playing on people’s emotions to promote the war effort. Since the strongest emotion is often fear, propaganda-makers play on people’s fears in order to get them to take action.

Name Calling

Name Calling- This tool involves using loaded labels and negative connotation words to and help to demonize the enemy.

Patriotic Appeals

Patriotic Appeals- This tool involves using patriotic language or symbols to appeal to people’s national pride.

Half-Truths or Lies

Half-Truths or Lies- This tool involves deception or twisting the truth. For example, blaming the enemy for complete responsibility for the war and portraying one’s own country as a victim of aggression is a common tool.

Catchy Slogans

This tool involves using memorable phrases to foster support for the war effort.

Visual Symbols

This tool involves using symbols that appeal to people’s emotions- like flags, statues mothers and children, and enemy uniforms- to promote the war effort.