The study of propaganda is not only an important part of any social studies curriculum in its own right, but also, it is a very valid way for students to better understand how information is provided by all the social players in a society who wish to affect change.
In this section of the course, students are encouraged to learn about many techniques and how they are used, and they are also challenged to see how propaganda has been and continues to be used by a multitude of players in our society and around the world. The culmination of the unit is the Propaganda Project, which is described in another page of the website.
Following are some famous examples of propaganda in the history of the Soviet Union and of our own WWII efforts:
The Tsar, the Priest and the Rich Man on the Shoulders of the Labouring People, coloured lithograph by A. Apsit, 1918.
The heavy burden on the Labouring People shows clearly in this poster from 1918. By this time the war (WWI) had really messed up the food supply. Soldiers were fighting, and not tending the land, and a lot of property and supplies were burnt in the war effort. In addition, the transportation system was lacking.
Here are some other examples of Soviet Propaganda:
“Capital as the source of all evil.”
USA World War II Propaganda
“WARNING! Our Homes Are in Danger Now!”
“We’re Fighting to Prevent This”
A Collection of More Current Propaganda
Mr. Thomas L Friedman (a very influential economist/author) writes about the “Tea-Party” movement
A variety of videos Ms. B-G has posted in her blog
Selling a point of view on what the founders of the US Constitution meant to do