Many historians have argued that propaganda has the ability to wage war as effectively as guns and ammunition. This was especially evident in World War I, where countries previously lacking organized propaganda saw the sudden rise of new bureaus, a result of the ever-growing emphasis on the war on public opinion. One such example was Wellington House, which was established in Britain in September 1914 by Prime Minister H. H. Asquith, largely in response to German propaganda spreading across Europe. Wellington House was responsible for the influence of foreign opinions, especially in neutral and allied countries, and worked completely in secret. Many members of Parliament, let alone foreign governments, were unaware of its existence. Nonetheless,
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The factors surrounding the nature of Wellington House may cloud a true assessment of its success, but it should be duly noted that whether or not propaganda had a positive effect, it was a tremendous part of people’s daily lives and played an instrumental role in changing the way that people perceived World War I. Although the full extent of the work performed at Wellington House may be unknown, its legacy supports the timeworn belief that a war of intellect could have just as much, if not more impact, as soldiers fighting on the front lines. Masterman and his employees’ ability to remove the state-sponsored air of importance around propaganda suggests an ability to influence and change mindsets, and even draw countries into battle, as was the case with America when it entered the war in 1917. While the secrecy of Wellington House may obscure some of its actions, its legacy and effects on countries such as the United States seem to reveal the capability of targeted, personalized propaganda on citizens of all …show more content…
“Propaganda as a weapon? Influencing international opinion.” British Library, 28 Jan. 2014, www.bl.uk/world-war-one/articles/propaganda-as-a-weapon. Accessed 30 Apr. 2018. This article, by professor Ian Cooke, provides a rough overview of British propaganda during World War I, with mention of Wellington House. This article was helpful in understanding the general purpose of propaganda during the time, and describing the circumstances in which organizations were established. The article was also helpful in pinpointing a specific institution to focus on and investigate.
Peterson, H.C. Propaganda for War: The Campaign against American Neutrality, 1914-1917. U of Oklahoma P, 1939. This book by H.C. Peterson focuses on the impact of foreign propaganda on American neutrality, with a large section of the book discussing methods of British propaganda in the States. The book helps to understand the effects of Wellington House in foreign countries, and when paired with other texts, paints a picture of how it was able to accomplish its work. The author also provides an argument as to why British propaganda was successful and what factors may have influenced this
The factors surrounding the nature of Wellington House may cloud a true assessment of its success, but it should be duly noted that whether or not propaganda had a positive effect, it was a tremendous part of people’s daily lives and played an instrumental role in changing the way that people perceived World War I. Although the full extent of the work performed at Wellington House may be unknown, its legacy supports the timeworn belief that a war of intellect could have just as much, if not more impact, as soldiers fighting on the front lines. Masterman and his employees’ ability to remove the state-sponsored air of importance around propaganda suggests an ability to influence and change mindsets, and even draw countries into battle, as was the case with America when it entered the war in 1917. While the secrecy of Wellington House may obscure some of its actions, its legacy and effects on countries such as the United States seem to reveal the capability of targeted, personalized propaganda on citizens of all …show more content…
“Propaganda as a weapon? Influencing international opinion.” British Library, 28 Jan. 2014, www.bl.uk/world-war-one/articles/propaganda-as-a-weapon. Accessed 30 Apr. 2018. This article, by professor Ian Cooke, provides a rough overview of British propaganda during World War I, with mention of Wellington House. This article was helpful in understanding the general purpose of propaganda during the time, and describing the circumstances in which organizations were established. The article was also helpful in pinpointing a specific institution to focus on and investigate.
Peterson, H.C. Propaganda for War: The Campaign against American Neutrality, 1914-1917. U of Oklahoma P, 1939. This book by H.C. Peterson focuses on the impact of foreign propaganda on American neutrality, with a large section of the book discussing methods of British propaganda in the States. The book helps to understand the effects of Wellington House in foreign countries, and when paired with other texts, paints a picture of how it was able to accomplish its work. The author also provides an argument as to why British propaganda was successful and what factors may have influenced this