During World War 1, the British government used extensive propaganda to influence public support and action. Various methods were employed, including posters, newspapers, films, and recruiting events at football matches. The propaganda aimed to recruit soldiers, encourage women to work in factories or as nurses, promote food conservation, boost patriotism, and generate hatred of the enemy. Different approaches targeted Scottish men specifically, such as pipe bands and a mobile recruiting tram. The propaganda strove to achieve objectives crucial to Britain's war effort.

1. Era of the
Great War
Great War
propaganda

2. Propaganda in the Great War
In today’s class I am learning to:
• Describe different types of propaganda
used during the Great War
• Explain what were the aims of this
propaganda

3. Propaganda in the Great War
During the Great War huge amounts of propaganda
was used by the government to encourage people
to take actions which would help Britain win.

4. Propaganda in the Great War
The government used a
variety of methods to try
and influence people to
engage in various
different activities.
One common sight
across Britain became
war posters, whether on
billboards, lampposts or
other locations.

5. Propaganda in the Great War
Scots were heavily
targeted by poster
propaganda to persuade
them to go to war.
This included using
Scottish symbols, as well
as giving a call to protect
Scotland’s proud
reputation for bravery
and joining the army.

6. Propaganda in the Great War
A lot of written material
was also issued by the
government and other
relevant groups.
This included leaflets,
books or copies of
speeches. Sometimes
these were sent to other
countries, to try and get
their support.

7. Propaganda in the Great War
The government used
newspapers to spread
their message.
Under the Defence of
the Realm Act, British
newspapers could be
censored. The
government also spread
helpful information to
other countries.

8. Propaganda in the Great War
Football was also used
for propaganda.
Recruitment events were
held at football games.
Footballers also signed
up, with fans encouraged
to join them.
Famously, sixteen Hearts
players went to war.

9. Propaganda in the Great War
There were other
methods used to
influence people too.
Pro-British films were
made and shown in
cinemas. Even paintings
were used to try and win
public support for the
war, ensuring a steady
supply of soldiers.

10. Propaganda in the Great War
Different approaches
were used to try and
attract Scottish men.
Pipe bands held public
parades to encourage
recruitment. Scottish
singer Harry Lauder
urged men that attended
his shows to go and join
the army.

11. Propaganda in the Great War
Public transport was
used to recruit men too.
Adverts often appeared
on the sides of trams.
In Edinburgh a tramcar
was turned into a mobile
recruitment centre. It
included flags, music and
a Justice of the Peace
who could sign men up.

12. Propaganda in the Great War
Aims of
propaganda

13. Propaganda in the Great War
Government propaganda
was focused towards
different issues, such as:
• Recruiting soldiers
• Women
• Food
• Increase patriotism
• Hatred for the enemy

14. Propaganda in the Great War
Before conscription was
introduced in 1916, the
government needed
British men to volunteer
to fight.
Various posters were
produced which
encouraged men to sign
up for military service,
especially in the army.

15. Propaganda in the Great War
Recruitment adverts
tried to appeal to men’s
sense of patriotism.
Others tried to
embarrass men into
fighting, such as asking
what they would say
after the war was over,
or saying women would
not want to marry them.

16. Propaganda in the Great War
Women were also
targeted by government
propaganda.
This was often to
encourage them to take
an active part in the war
effort, such as working in
a munitions factory, or
going abroad to become
a nurse or mechanic.

17. Propaganda in the Great War
Propaganda also tried to
encourage women to get
more men to sign up to
join the fight.
Women were told to say
that they would not be
marry a man that was
not prepared to fight,
and mothers should
send their sons.

18. Propaganda in the Great War
Ensuring a good food
supply was also a key
part of propaganda.
Campaigns tried to
encourage people to not
waste food, or to grow
their own. Other
information told people
ways to cook that would
conserve food.

19. Propaganda in the Great War
Government information
also tried to create a
sense of patriotism,
ensuring national
support for the war.
Images portrayed Britain
as a world leader,
capable of defending
freedom all across the
globe.

20. Propaganda in the Great War
Propaganda also aimed
to build hatred of the
enemy.
Information campaigns
focused on German
atrocities, such as sinking
the passenger ship
Lusitania or killing the
British nurse, Edith
Cavell.