The Press in WW1The Press in WW1

The Pres on the Home FrontThe Pres on the Home FrontAnti-German feeling driven by the Anti-German feeling driven by the presspressPopulation eager to believe all they Population eager to believe all they readreadPress controlled by 3 news barons Press controlled by 3 news barons on the payroll of the Gov’t on the payroll of the Gov’t propaganda ministry.propaganda ministry.No room for opposite views.No room for opposite views.Gov’t needed the press to mould Gov’t needed the press to mould control public opinion. control public opinion.

The Press in WW1The Press in WW1

John Bull – owned by Horatio John Bull – owned by Horatio BottomleyBottomleyStirred up hatred of Germans living Stirred up hatred of Germans living in Britain.in Britain.Daily Mail echoed this sentiment. Daily Mail echoed this sentiment. Persecution of Germans on a Persecution of Germans on a massive scale followed.massive scale followed.Many were interred.Many were interred.Created fears of the ‘enemy within’ Created fears of the ‘enemy within’ ‘‘German spies were everywhere!!’German spies were everywhere!!’

The Press in WW1The Press in WW1

‘‘Spy spotting’ a national sportSpy spotting’ a national sportMost spies known to gov’t, almost Most spies known to gov’t, almost none were known by the public.none were known by the public.Myths and legends abounded, Myths and legends abounded, usually made up ‘over a pint’ in the usually made up ‘over a pint’ in the pub.pub.E.g. ‘The Angel of Mons’ appeared E.g. ‘The Angel of Mons’ appeared to protect British troops from German to protect British troops from German attacks. (pg 165 in text)attacks. (pg 165 in text)

The Press in WW1The Press in WW1

German atrocity stories arose initially German atrocity stories arose initially out of the defeat of Belgium, when out of the defeat of Belgium, when British military in full retreat. British military in full retreat.

These were embelled by a press These were embelled by a press deperate to write about anything deperate to write about anything other than military defeat. other than military defeat.

Read Source S pp. 166-7Read Source S pp. 166-7

The Press in WW1The Press in WW1

Down-right LiesDown-right Lies

Read Sources U & V about the Read Sources U & V about the German Corpse factory. German Corpse factory.

It was admitted in 1925 the story It was admitted in 1925 the story was a put out by he Government for was a put out by he Government for propaganda purposes. propaganda purposes.

The Press in WW1The Press in WW1

Role of the Cinema:Role of the Cinema:Cartoons – crude and unsophisticated Cartoons – crude and unsophisticated were readily accepted by a willing public were readily accepted by a willing public as truth.as truth.Film from the Front – initially resisted by Film from the Front – initially resisted by gov’t , until they saw the propaganda gov’t , until they saw the propaganda value.value.The filming of the Somme, much edited, The filming of the Somme, much edited, much filmed in area away from the much filmed in area away from the fighting, some (e.g. trench foot scenes), fighting, some (e.g. trench foot scenes), totally made up.totally made up.A great success with the public.A great success with the public.

The Press in WW1The Press in WW1

How successful British Propaganda?How successful British Propaganda?British public views moulded by British public views moulded by propaganda.propaganda.Only Germans they ever met were Only Germans they ever met were POW.sPOW.sAnswer questions:Answer questions: 1 & 2 (Skills Builder pg. 172) re 1 & 2 (Skills Builder pg. 172) re treatment of German POW’s.treatment of German POW’s.