Extra post- EOTO Misinformation Response

                   

After our EOTO presentations on misinformation, I wanted to look more into the history of propaganda. I have a limited understanding based on my high school history courses, so I wanted to expand my knowledge on the subject. 

People tend to associate the word "propaganda" with promotion of world war efforts. However, propaganda itself has long existed outside the United States. The term was actually coined by the Pope Gregory XV Catholic Church for missionary activities in the year 1622. At the time, the word held a positive connotation as means of advancing the church's sphere of influence. Over time though, propaganda did turn negative in its inherent meaning.

The United States' entrance into World War I in particular led to the emergence of propaganda for nationalistic purposes. Citizens were encouraged to buy "war bonds" to help fund the army as a means of showcasing their patriotism. The iconic "I Want YOU for U.S. Army" poster of America's Uncle Sam encouraged young men to leave their domestic occupations and defend the ideals of capitalism. 

                    

In order for this pro-war effort to succeed, it required tremendous organization. The effort was spearheaded by none other than president Woodrow Wilson. For his 1916 re-election campaign, Wilson led with the slogan "He kept us out of war, America First." Wilson ran on the promises of staying out of wars in Europe. Yet shortly after his victory, Wilson reversed course and the U.S. entered "the war to end all wars." Entering this foreign conflict did not ring popular with the people of America, so Wilson devised methods of squashing any opposition. Wilson's congress passed the Espionage Act of 1917 as well as the Sedition Act of 1918, which enforced strict penalties and even prison time for both government employees and private persons respectively on speaking out against the war effort. Wilson also created the Committee on Public Information (CPI) which helped sway public opinion in favor of the war effort. In retrospect, restricting dissenting opinions against the government seems to be indicative of a communist state, the very ideology which the U.S. was fighting against. It also goes against the wording of the first amendment "Congress shall make no law" in regards to abridging freedom of speech. 

         

Modern propaganda can most likely be associated to President Trump's campaign and leadership. Trump ran on the slogan of "Make America Great Again" and similar to Wilson promised governing with a focus on "America First." Although Trump did not pass any legislation to sway public opinion, he used his bully pulpit, particularly Twitter, to further galvanize his base. Some of his posts included slander of President Obama's birth place, media attacks on Muslims, and vehement opposition of racial justice movements such as National Anthem protesting and Black Lives Matter. Trump even used the word "propaganda" when referring to racial sensitivity training which he opposed. Although Trump is now removed from office, his leadership has undoubtedly given rise to alt-right groups such as QAnon who believe a secret cabal cult runs the world and is responsible for Trump's general election loss. Even in the digital age, propaganda penetrates public opinion.

Sources

https://www.historians.org/about-aha-and-membership/aha-history-and-archives/gi-roundtable-series/pamphlets/em-2-what-is-propaganda-(1944)/the-story-of-propaganda#:~:text=The%20term%20%E2%80%9Cpropaganda%E2%80%9D%20apparently%20first,the%20Propagation%20of%20the%20Faith.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-etymology-of-america-first_b_5889767de4b0628ad613de3f

https://www.history.com/news/presidents-relationship-with-press

https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/u-s-congress-passes-espionage-act

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/07/donald-trump-facebook-social-media-capitol-attack