Abstract
This research paper examines and analyzes the uses of war propaganda throughout events such as World War I, World War II, and Vietnam and how it effectively hid the truth from the people of America for years. Different types of propaganda are studied, such as posters, films, and pro-war speeches, and their effects on society are explained through their acts of glorification of the wars. The notion of isolationism within the United States and how over the years it decreased as war propaganda increased is also mentioned. It includes credible resources such as author Donna Woolfolk Cross, Walter Lippmann, and noted reporter Walter Cronkite. Introduction
Many understand the fact that war is rarely ever justifiable and that the idea …show more content…
During this time, the media stopped for nothing and no one. It completely exploited propaganda; censorship did not even cross the mind of the media (Trueman). Walter Cronkite, a reporter and anchorman for CBS news for over 19 years, was universally known as the “the most trusted man in America” (“Biography of Walter Cronkite”). While the Vietnam War was taking place, Cronkite personally went over there to get film and other forms of proof to show all of America that the war was not what the government was making it out to be. He was able to prove that the government was full of nothing but lies, and that the Americans were losing the war. Cronkite wrote is his report of the war, “To say that we are closer to victory today is to believe, in the face of the evidence, the optimists who have been wrong in the past” (“Who, What”, 1968). Although, many would not see this sort of report as propaganda, it is still a means of persuasion. Cronkite was trusted by all, and he used that in order to get Americans to understand what was really happening over in Vietnam. He was able to exploit the government and all the lies they had been feeding the country, which consequently turned the supporting citizens into furious protesters. Cronkite’s report caused a backfire of propaganda; this time, from the citizens to the government. Anti-war protesters and posters were everywhere in …show more content…
(2002). Retrieved October 20, 2014, from http://changingminds.org/techniques/propaganda/propaganda_history.htm
Andrew, C. (1996). For the president 's eyes only (p. 42). New York: Harper Collins.
Biography of Walter Cronkite. Retrieved November 6, 2014, from http://cronkite.asu.edu/walter/waltercronkite
Cross, W. D. (1977). Propaganda: how not to be bamboozled. In Paul Eschholz, Alfred Rosa, Virginia Clark (Ed.), Language awareness: readings for college writers (pp. 295-301). Boston, Massachusetts: Bedford/St. Martin’s.
Diplomacy in Action. Retrieved October 26, 2014, from http://www.state.gov/
Jowett, G., & O 'Donnell, V. (1986). Propaganda and persuasion (5th ed., p. 51). Newbury Park: Sage.
Shah, A. (2005). War, Propaganda and the Media. Retrieved October 26, 2014, from http://www.globalissues.org/article/157/war-propaganda-and-the-media
Trueman, C. Search the History Learning Site. Retrieved October 27, 2014, from http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/
"Who, What, When, Where, Why: Report from Vietnam by Walter Cronkite". (1968). CBS Evening News. Retrieved November 6,
This research paper examines and analyzes the uses of war propaganda throughout events such as World War I, World War II, and Vietnam and how it effectively hid the truth from the people of America for years. Different types of propaganda are studied, such as posters, films, and pro-war speeches, and their effects on society are explained through their acts of glorification of the wars. The notion of isolationism within the United States and how over the years it decreased as war propaganda increased is also mentioned. It includes credible resources such as author Donna Woolfolk Cross, Walter Lippmann, and noted reporter Walter Cronkite. Introduction
Many understand the fact that war is rarely ever justifiable and that the idea …show more content…
During this time, the media stopped for nothing and no one. It completely exploited propaganda; censorship did not even cross the mind of the media (Trueman). Walter Cronkite, a reporter and anchorman for CBS news for over 19 years, was universally known as the “the most trusted man in America” (“Biography of Walter Cronkite”). While the Vietnam War was taking place, Cronkite personally went over there to get film and other forms of proof to show all of America that the war was not what the government was making it out to be. He was able to prove that the government was full of nothing but lies, and that the Americans were losing the war. Cronkite wrote is his report of the war, “To say that we are closer to victory today is to believe, in the face of the evidence, the optimists who have been wrong in the past” (“Who, What”, 1968). Although, many would not see this sort of report as propaganda, it is still a means of persuasion. Cronkite was trusted by all, and he used that in order to get Americans to understand what was really happening over in Vietnam. He was able to exploit the government and all the lies they had been feeding the country, which consequently turned the supporting citizens into furious protesters. Cronkite’s report caused a backfire of propaganda; this time, from the citizens to the government. Anti-war protesters and posters were everywhere in …show more content…
(2002). Retrieved October 20, 2014, from http://changingminds.org/techniques/propaganda/propaganda_history.htm
Andrew, C. (1996). For the president 's eyes only (p. 42). New York: Harper Collins.
Biography of Walter Cronkite. Retrieved November 6, 2014, from http://cronkite.asu.edu/walter/waltercronkite
Cross, W. D. (1977). Propaganda: how not to be bamboozled. In Paul Eschholz, Alfred Rosa, Virginia Clark (Ed.), Language awareness: readings for college writers (pp. 295-301). Boston, Massachusetts: Bedford/St. Martin’s.
Diplomacy in Action. Retrieved October 26, 2014, from http://www.state.gov/
Jowett, G., & O 'Donnell, V. (1986). Propaganda and persuasion (5th ed., p. 51). Newbury Park: Sage.
Shah, A. (2005). War, Propaganda and the Media. Retrieved October 26, 2014, from http://www.globalissues.org/article/157/war-propaganda-and-the-media
Trueman, C. Search the History Learning Site. Retrieved October 27, 2014, from http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/
"Who, What, When, Where, Why: Report from Vietnam by Walter Cronkite". (1968). CBS Evening News. Retrieved November 6,