Remembering the German Outrages of 1914
Description/Abstract/Artist Statement
During the First World War, mass variations of propaganda occurred, including ideas that supported pro-war, anti-war, gender. However, the worst form of propaganda was atrocity propaganda. Atrocities inspired resistance because they broke the general rules of warfare and engagement and proved socially detestable. In WWI, atrocity propaganda was a specific propaganda technique aimed to gather support for war through highlighting the crimes and atrocities committed by the enemy. This often provided a moral reasoning for supporting the war. Various sources such as The Bryce Report, The German White Book, The Belgian Grey Book, and Lord Bryce's Investigation into Alleged German Atrocities in Belgium demonstrate the use of atrocity propaganda by various nations throughout the war, including the prolonged social effects these works had on society. Overall, the use of atrocity propaganda in WWI highlighted and emphasized the enemy conducting in disturbing and immoral actions, such as rape and murder, in order to provide a moral reasoning for the act of going to war. Atrocity propaganda also promoted war by using good vs evil schemas and tactics, which inevitably influenced social beliefs and identity among its viewers.
Faculty Advisor/Mentor
Brett Bebber
College Affiliation
College of Arts & Letters
Presentation Type
Poster
Disciplines
European History | Other History
Session Title
History
Location
Zoom Room M
Start Date
3-20-2021 11:00 AM
End Date
3-20-2021 11:55 AM
Remembering the German Outrages of 1914
Zoom Room M
During the First World War, mass variations of propaganda occurred, including ideas that supported pro-war, anti-war, gender. However, the worst form of propaganda was atrocity propaganda. Atrocities inspired resistance because they broke the general rules of warfare and engagement and proved socially detestable. In WWI, atrocity propaganda was a specific propaganda technique aimed to gather support for war through highlighting the crimes and atrocities committed by the enemy. This often provided a moral reasoning for supporting the war. Various sources such as The Bryce Report, The German White Book, The Belgian Grey Book, and Lord Bryce's Investigation into Alleged German Atrocities in Belgium demonstrate the use of atrocity propaganda by various nations throughout the war, including the prolonged social effects these works had on society. Overall, the use of atrocity propaganda in WWI highlighted and emphasized the enemy conducting in disturbing and immoral actions, such as rape and murder, in order to provide a moral reasoning for the act of going to war. Atrocity propaganda also promoted war by using good vs evil schemas and tactics, which inevitably influenced social beliefs and identity among its viewers.