Understanding Propaganda Throughout History
The exploration of propaganda can provide a motivating way for students to learn about history.
By Daniella Garran
Propaganda is a powerful force. When used effectively, propaganda has changed the course of history, particularly in times of war. Whenever propaganda is being studied, it is important for students to have an understanding of the difference between propaganda and mere advertising.
You can begin your study of propaganda by establishing a working definition of the term. You may choose to consult several different definitions before generating your own for the class to use. It is a good idea to show students several samples of propaganda (perhaps the most obvious and effective are images of Nazi posters and literature from World War II). Slowly introduce images that wouldn't be considered propaganda, such as advertisements, and ask the class to distinguish between those which serve a propaganda purpose and those that don’t. Be sure that students are able to identify and analyze the often subtle distinctions.
To ensure that students understand the objectives and implications of propaganda, you can have students bring in a variety of print advertisements from magazines. Have them try to tweak the ads so that they would qualify as propaganda. You can assign students one of the following forms of persuasive communication to use in their revised advertisement: testimonials, tapping into fears, the bandwagon mentality, glittering generalities, and transferring (for a good explanation of each of these you can take a look at the website thecreativeeducator.com, which also is the site of a suggested activity listed below).
You can also have students conduct an article analysis in which students compare articles from different countries and eras. Students can explore Soviet era rhetoric and propaganda in Russia’s publication Pravda, Communist propaganda from modern North Korea, and Saddam Hussein’s ministry of propaganda. Don't forget to have students evaluate America’s network news broadcasts and newspapers to identify examples of propaganda in our society. What follows are more lessons to help students learn about propaganda.
Understanding Propaganda Lessons and Activities:
In conjunction with the release of Ken Burns’ film "The War," PBS created a wonderful series of lessons for educators. This particular lesson introduces students to art and propaganda and the role that each played in different societies during World War II. Students view film clips, analyze posters and look at art of the era. Please note that this lesson does require the use of computers.
Students learn to distinguish between education and indoctrination, news and editorial, and a variety of propaganda techniques. This lesson helps students to understand the overwhelming persuasiveness of Nazi era propaganda and the role it played. Special attention is given to the role of the mass media in this lesson.
This fun and engaging lesson has students create an advertising campaign for a product of their choosing in which they employ propaganda techniques. Students write scripts and make storyboards in preparation for filming a commercial promoting their product.
The Hitler Youth Movement and Individual Choice
This lesson examines propaganda and its impact on children and young adults. The focus of the lesson is on the Hitler Youth and how Hitler was able to influence young minds through the formation of the Hitler Youth organization. It can be interesting for students to contemplate whether the Hitler Youth and its message would have appealed to them had they lived during that era.