Censorship and Propaganda in World War I - by Eberhard Demm (Paperback)

About the Book

"This book demonstrates how people were kept ignorant by censorship and indoctrinated by propaganda. Censorship suppressed all information that criticized the army and government, that might trouble the population or weaken its morale. Propaganda at home emphasized the superiority of the fatherland, explained setbacks by blaming scapegoats, vilified and ridiculed the enemy, warned of the disastrous consequences of defeat and extolled duty and sacrifice. The propaganda message also infiltrated entertainment and the visual arts. Abroad it aimed to demoralize enemy troops and stir up unrest among national minorities and other marginalized groups. The many illustrations and organograms provide a clear visual demonstration of Demm's argument."--

Book Synopsis

This book demonstrates how people were kept ignorant by censorship and indoctrinated by propaganda. Censorship suppressed all information that criticized the army and government, that might trouble the population or weaken its morale. Propaganda at home emphasized the superiority of the fatherland, explained setbacks by blaming scapegoats, vilified and ridiculed the enemy, warned of the disastrous consequences of defeat and extolled duty and sacrifice. The propaganda message also infiltrated entertainment and the visual arts. Abroad it aimed to demoralize enemy troops and stir up unrest among national minorities and other marginalized groups. The many illustrations and organograms provide a clear visual demonstration of Demm's argument.

Review Quotes

"[Demm] offers many intriguing insights, especially comparative ones ... [A] fascinating, wide-ranging look at how pervasive, multifaceted, and resourceful censors and propagandists were in every wartime society." - Journal of Modern History

"Eberhard Demm's international history of First World War censorship and propaganda is impressive in its scope, is a highly enjoyable read, and contributes substantially to the historiography of this understudied subject." --History: Reviews of New Books

"This new and highly comprehensive volume presents a depth of analysis around propaganda ... Demm's powerful writing continues to inspire and open the way to new thinkers on this topic, no matter their nationality." --Munitions of the Mind blog

About the Author

EBERHARD DEMM is a retired professor of German Civilization at the University Lyon III. He also taught at the Universities of Alberta at Edmonton, Amsterdam, Paris X and Paris XII, and, as a visiting professor, at Heidelberg, Berlin (Humboldt and Freie Universität) and Riga. He has published widely on the First World War, Wilhelmine Germany and Alfred Weber.