How WWI Changed America: Selling the War

What is propaganda? 

From AI Overview

Propaganda is the deliberate and systematic use of communication to manipulate public opinion, emotions, and behavior to support a particular cause, belief, or agenda. It often presents a biased or misleading viewpoint, using techniques like emotional appeals, name-calling, and distortion of facts to influence the audience. While propaganda can be used for many purposes, including commercial advertising, its use is often associated with political manipulation, as it can involve half-truths, rumors, or outright lies.

Key characteristics

Purposeful and systematic: It is a deliberate and planned attempt to shape perceptions and achieve a desired response.

Manipulative: It often relies on emotional appeals and psychological tactics to bypass critical thinking.

Biased viewpoint: It heavily emphasizes the benefits of one idea or group while downplaying or suppressing counter-arguments.

Information distortion: It may involve misrepresenting facts, using false statistics, or leaving out crucial information to create a specific impression.

Common techniques

Name-calling: Using derogatory terms to label opponents.

Appealing to emotions: Inciting fear, anger, or pride to sway public opinion.

Bandwagoning: Suggesting that a person should do something because "everyone else" is doing it.

Scare tactics: Frightening people into supporting a cause by warning of a dire outcome.

Simplification: Presenting complex issues in simple, often misleading terms.