Reasons for Propaganda

(In first person)

Today I finally returned from fighting in the Great War to my village, glad to see my wife and daughter. They were very relieved that I had only been slightly injured and had returned safely. I am very happy to be with them again.

Earlier, I went outside to greet my neighbours, expecting a warm welcome back with homemade fruitcake near the fireplace, like the old days, only to see tightly packed luggage in the room and worried expressions on their faces “Aye, all welcome to you, fellow. The mates are departing anytime now, hope they be as lucky as you are.”

Eight months ago, I remember, I was one of them. I was feeling excited, as well as anxious. The posters floating around the village and the radio ads that were blaring through the speakers made me feel so proud being able to protect the country, but at the same time I was wary that something might go wrong.

I walked around the village, and I noticed that the posters had changed from before I left. Before, the posters were all saying that war was a good cause to fight for, and that protecting the country was something to be proud of. But now, the posters are encouraging or protesting against support for conscription instead because people aren’t willing to go to war anymore.

I guess the excitement of war is finally dying down.

An example of recruitment propaganda

An example of conscription propaganda

Types of Propaganda in World War One

Propaganda in World War One encouraged men to join the military and adjust their morals and priorities to adapt to the needs of war and satisfy the government.

The government mainly advertised on posters but radio and television messages also circulated. The two main types of propaganda were recruitment propaganda and conscription propaganda.

WWI propaganda peaked during 1915 to 1916; capable of recruiting hundreds of thousands of men each year. Recruitment propaganda was successful as it amplified the original reasons for Australia to participate in WW1; and was strong enough to change the minds of those who didn't want to enlist.

By 1917, recruitment propaganda's strength had declined, as those who had experienced the devastating condition of war didn't wish to go back. With volunteer numbers decreasing rapidly, the Australian government introduced conscription propaganda. Similar to recruitment propaganda, conscription propaganda influenced men on their sense of fear, guilt, patriotism and also hatred towards the Germans. It caused great controversy within Australia, as the country had mixed opinions about whether or not conscription was beneficial.

Among the ones who returned from the war, there were patriots that strongly supported conscription because they knew the hardship on the battlefields and thought it necessary for all Australian men to contribute to the protection of the country. Contrastingly, others who suffered said that nobody should be forced to endure such difficulty.

Regardless of people’s opinions towards propaganda for recruitment and conscription, the technique had a very effective influence on Australian during WWI.