The Impact of the Committee on Public Information on World War 1 Propaganda

The Impact of the Committee on Public Information on World War 1 Propaganda

When the United States entered World War 1 in April of 1917, President Woodrow Wilson knew that he needed a way to mobilize public support for the war effort. To accomplish this, Wilson created the Committee on Public Information (CPI) in May of 1917. The CPI’s job was to disseminate propaganda that would create a positive image of the war effort in the minds of Americans. This article will explore the impact of the CPI on World War 1 propaganda.

Creating a Positive Image of the War

The CPI’s first priority was to create a positive image of the war effort in the minds of Americans. They used a variety of tactics to accomplish this, including posters, pamphlets, and speeches. One of their most effective tools was the Four Minute Men, a group of public speakers who would give short speeches at movie theaters and other public venues. The speakers would exhort the audience to support the war effort and would often make emotional appeals to patriotism and the American way of life.

The CPI also used the media to spread its message. They produced short films that extolled the virtues of the war effort and encouraged Americans to do their part. They also disseminated news stories that were often exaggerated or outright false, but which painted the war effort in a positive light.

Creating a Negative Image of the Enemy

The CPI’s second priority was to create a negative image of the enemy in the minds of Americans. They did this by producing propaganda that portrayed the Germans and their allies as evil and barbarous. Posters depicted Germans as ruthless murderers who would stop at nothing to win the war. They also produced cartoons that depicted the Kaiser as a demon or a monster.

The CPI’s propaganda was effective because it played on Americans’ fears and prejudices. Many Americans were already suspicious of Germans and other immigrants, and the CPI’s propaganda reinforced those views. It also helped to unify the country behind the war effort.

The Legacy of the CPI

The CPI was disbanded in 1919, but its legacy lived on. It had helped to create a positive image of the war effort in the minds of Americans, which in turn helped to bolster support for the war. It had also helped to create a negative image of the enemy, which helped to unify the country behind the war effort.

However, the CPI’s propaganda was not without its critics. Some people felt that the CPI’s tactics were manipulative and dishonest. Others felt that the CPI’s propaganda had contributed to an atmosphere of intolerance and suspicion in the United States.

In conclusion, the CPI had a significant impact on World War 1 propaganda. It helped to create a positive image of the war effort in the minds of Americans, and it helped to create a negative image of the enemy. Its legacy is still debated today, but there is no denying the influence that it had on the war effort.