Title: Revolution, war, and propaganda to 1917 - Propaganda
Headings: Propaganda - Revolution, war, and propaganda to 1917
Propaganda - Revolution, war, and propaganda to 1917
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Content: War propaganda has been  utilized by both government agencies and private groups to win the support  of neutrals, demoralize enemies, and energize domestic populations. The  pluralistic nature of American life and the existence of a free press has  prevented the emergence of a monolithic propaganda apparatus, but it could  be argued that these factors have in fact made American democracy better  equipped than totalitarian societies for effective propaganda, if only  because the free marketplace of ideas has required would-be propagandists  to develop ever more sophisticated means of persuasion. As far back as the colonial period, influential Americans exhibited a  remarkable grasp of propaganda techniques. Propaganda and agitation were  essential components of the American Revolution. Prior to the outbreak of  hostilities, propaganda played a pivotal role in creating the intellectual  and psychological climate of the Revolution itself. Philip Davidson, in his history of the propaganda of the American  Revolution, documented a remarkably sophisticated grasp of propaganda  techniques among the leading organizers of the Revolution. Although the  Founders are rarely recognized as propagandists—probably because of  propaganda's pejorative associations—the evidence of a  conscious, systematic effort by colonial leaders to gain public support  for their ideas is unmistakable. Benjamin Franklin admitted to exposing  "in as striking a light as I could, to the nation, the absurdity of  the [British] measures towards America"; Thomas Jefferson spoke of  "arousing our people from…lethargy"; and George  Washington advocated the release of information "in a manner  calculated to attract the attention and impress the minds of the  people."