Propaganda Exam One / Midterm

What are examples of black propaganda employed by the American Revolutionaries? What are examples of white propaganda used?

"Fake news" stories about Brits and scalping, Brits "left" smallpox in the colonies, and various other stories.

Pre-propaganda

'Plowing the field': where the propagandist 'creates ambiguities, reducing prejudices, and spreading images, apparently without purpose'.

Direct Propaganda

'Sowing seeds': aimed at modifying opinions and attitudes

What is a "myth"? How is a myth a "model for social action"? Why do Jowett and O'Donnell call myths "predispositions to act"?

A myth is a story in which meaning is embodied in recurrent symbols and events, but it is also an idea to which people already subscribe Ex- Abraham lincoln being a role model to americans (rag to riches story that aligns with American ideologies ).

What is the difference between "integration propaganda" and "agitation propaganda" ("agitprop")?

Agitation propaganda - shorthand as agit-prop is the propaganda of radical change, revolution, the propaganda that agitates against the power quo/establish in attempt to overturn it in favor of new idea the propagandist is promoting Integration propaganda - designed to align people more closely with status quo/establishment/way things are

What are characteristics of propaganda as a form of communication?

Concealed purpose Source has concealed identity Control of information flow (censorship) Manage public opinion Manipulate behavior

Explain Richards's conception of "the proper meaning superstition."

Confusion of causality (we think if a black cat walks in front of us it will cause bad luck). Richard was talking about that we have a false notion that a particular symbol means ONE thing, a proper meaning.

Orthopraxy

Converting thought or theory in to action. Beef / vegetarian - what would you do if you were starving? We act on meaning because essentially the beef is the same but the meaning of what we put on it makes it different.

What are the "deflective source" model and the "legitimating source" model?

Deflective Propagandist plants story in newsource That source plants the message. Legitimating propaganda Propagandist secretly plants message with source They print story Propagandist then spreads that story *Dissociates the propagandist with the message

Why was the "penny press" such an important propaganda factor in early America?

Easy to produce papers, cheap and geared for a mass audience, sensationalist news to capture audiences.

Horizontal Propaganda

Everyone is on an even plane, everyone can contribute, they share the same orientation and motivation, no one orchestrating/directing, more so a sympathetic organization because everyone is on the same page.

Be prepared to identify both the "external characteristics" of propaganda and the "internal characteristics."

External characteristics: Internal characteristics:

What is the difference (according to Hitler) between a "follower" and a "member" of a movement?

Follower of a group agrees with its aims, members fight for the group first hand.

Examine the "Boston Massacre" as a propaganda event. Be prepared to explain various propagandistic "takes" on the events in Boston in March, 1770.

Hostilities between Colonists and British were escalating. Group of angry colonists began harassing a group of soldiers, who eventually shot their guns in a panic, resulting in 5 deaths. Sons of Liberty proclaimed it a "massacre", a propagandistic technique due to the image of a massacre (Loaded Words, and some fear appeal). Representations in the newspapers and the famous woodcut print by Paul Revere, depict the event as a premeditated attack on the colonists.

What do Jowett and O'Donnell mean by "resonance," and how does it relate to Ellul's discussion of the Individual and the Masses?

In a mass, recipients of propaganda do not perceive the themes of the messages to be imposed on them from an outside authority to which they are required or committed to submit to.

Why, according to Ellul, does propaganda need to be more than a "manipulation of symbols"? And why is the manipulation of symbols still absolutely necessary for effective propaganda? (note that Ellul offers three reasons)

Manipulation of symbols is necessary because it 1. Persuades the individual to enter the framework laid by the propagandist, 2. Justifies reason for motives and actions and 3. Obtains total allegiance.

Overt Propaganda

Necessary for attacking enemies; it alone is capable of reassuring one's own forces; it is a manifestation of strength and good organization.

What is meant by the "timeliness" of propaganda?

Not using obsolete language. Has to start with what's going on now, can't go into past and hope people are reliving emotions. We are in the NOW.

What was the Committee of Correspondence and why was it important?

Organized propaganda arm of American Revolution. This group became the propaganda organization for the Revolution. He had his agents covering every important meeting and gathering to collect "news" that was immediately relayed back to Adams's central committee, where the information was processed and disseminated to the appropriate areas.

How were forms of dress and use of colors exploited for propaganda purposes during the French Revolution?

People everywhere were exposed to the national colors (red, white, and blue) everywhere they went as well as participating in other displays like firework shows and the burning of effigies of hated politicians in an attempt to create a sense of patriotism.

What is the distinction between "persuasion" and "compliance"?

Persuasion is voluntary. Compliance can happen either voluntarily or with use of coercion or force.

What does Jacques Ellul mean by the word "propaganda"? What does he mean that it is a "modern technique" dependent on, or based on, "one or more branches of science"?

Regarded propaganda as sociological phenomena, not as something made or produced by people of intentions. Ellul contended that nearly all biased messages in society were propagandistic even when the biases were unconscious. He also believed that we needed propaganda for life, such as things like voting, elections, memorials. Required an analysis of environment and individual.

During the American Revolution, how were rumors used as propaganda? What are some examples?

Rumor and gossip continued to be an important means of maintaining communication links between groups and individuals wishing to circulate specific messages.

How are Samuel Adams, Thomas Paine, Benjamin Franklin, and George Washington propagandists? Be prepared to discuss propaganda techniques employed by each.

Samuel Adams: propagandized the "Boston Massacre," worked to increase anti-British sentiments in the colonies. Thomas Paine: wrote the pamphlet "Common Sense" Benjamin Franklin: Spent a lot of time in Europe creating support for the colonies and manipulating news George Washington: Went into town on horseback, but typically travelled in a carriage.

What is "the mass audience," and when did it begin to appear?

September 3, 1833, in NY with the introduction of the New York Sun on the era of the "penny press."

Black Propaganda

The source is concealed. False information and material that purports to be from a source on one side of a conflict, but is actually from the opposing side. It is typically used to vilify, embarrass, or misrepresent the enemy.

Know the "three interweaving elements" that comprise the "history of propaganda."

1) the increasing need, with the growth of human settlements and the rise of culturally distinctive nation-states, to win what has been called "the battle for hearts and minds" of these populations 2) the increasing availability, sophistication, and speed of the means of communication available to deliver propagandistic messages 3) the increasing understanding of the psy-chology of propaganda and the commensurate application of such behavioral findings to improve the effectiveness of the message.

What are the ten divisions (or questions) for propaganda analysis proposed by Jowett and O'Donnell?

1. The ideology and purpose of the propaganda campaign 2. The context in which the propaganda occurs 3. Identification of the propagandist 4. The structure of the propaganda organization 5. The target audience 6. Media utilization techniques 7. Special techniques to maximize effect 8. Audience reaction to various techniques 9. Counterpropaganda, if present 10. Effects and evaluation

According to O'Donnell and Jowett, what are five characteristics of propaganda as a form of communication?

1. propaganda is deliberate intentional willful and premeditated. (Strategic.) 2. propaganda is systematic methodical and organized ex- advertising. 3. propaganda is an attempt (tries to create a certain state in an audience.) 4. propaganda shapes perceptions (use of slogans symbols and images.) 5. propaganda may manipulate cognitions (causes a doubt in trust in one's own senses and perceptions)

What were the basic propaganda techniques employed by Napoleon? (consider especially the use of the Napoleonic Code and the "staged plebiscite").

19th Century (Made Holy Roman Emperor in 1804) Invented the fake vote Created fake newspapers, put fake stories in real newspapers Paintings as propaganda When being crowned HRE in Notre Dame cathedral, he takes the crown from the bishop and crowns himself - putting himself and his authority above the Pope and God.

How did the word "propaganda" arise in the Counter-Reformation?

The word propaganda was used to counter the protestant reformation. Christiano Nomini Propaganda or, as it was more commonly known, the Sacra Congregatio de Propaganda Fide (Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith), which was charged with carrying "the faith" to the New World and with reviving and strengthening it in Europe as a means of countering the Protestant revolution. This unified and centralized Roman Catholic Church missionary activities, and within a few years, in 1627, Pope Urban VII founded the Collegium Urbanum, the seminary that served as the training ground for the Propaganda.

Vertical Propaganda

Top down structure, leader, secondary leaders, flowchart, members at the bottom, etc.

What were the basic propaganda techniques employed—perhaps for the first time—by Alexander the Great?

Treated conquered people with kindness, arranged marriages for his officers with Persian women so his military would seem favorable with locals. Used coins, statues, official buildings to remind people who was in power, that they were all Greek now, and that Alexander was a god.

Be prepared to examine the relationship between nationalistic (or even cultist) propaganda and religion. What was the experience of Japan? What are contemporary controversies that exemplify the propaganda potential in the overlaps between political ideology and religious dogma?

Use of the shinto religion in japan as a means to provide public support for expansionist policies. -religious explanations of the world -religion unifies groups -vilifies another religion or opposing view

What is "total propaganda"? What does it mean to say that it is "orchestrated"?

When all of the channels of communication complement each other. Gives a complete ideology. Provides a comprehensive worldview. Total propaganda must be orchestrated. Total propaganda can obtain compliance.

What were the following and why are they important to understanding the propaganda of the American Revolution? Boston Tea Party, Stamp Act, Quartering Act, Liberty Tree, Sons of Liberty.

- Boston Tea Party: an American protest against British taxes on tea. Was organized by the Sons of Liberty, led by Samuel Adams. Dressed up as Native Americans and threw all of the tea import out into the harbor. British could not retaliate because they had been pulled out of Boston following the Boston Massacre and could not risk feeding more propaganda. - Stamp Act: a tax on paper goods, such as newspapers. It was a way for Britain to control what has being printed in the colonies. Newspapers and pamphlets were the primary methods of mass distribution of the colonies. The money earned from this tax supported British activities outside of the colonies. -Quartering Act: the British Parliament passed the quartering act. Required the colonists to house British officers. There was a fear that British officers would rape the young boys and girls in the homes. - Liberty Tree: was seen as a physical symbol, and often news or info was posted to the tree(bulletin board) in the Boston Commons -Sons of Liberty: Created in the Thirteen American Colonies. The secret society was formed to protect the rights of the colonists and to fight taxation by the British government.

What is the relationship, according to Ellul, between the propagandist and his/her audience? Between propaganda and the materials of a culture (including history, myths, etc)? Between propaganda and truth (or "facticity")?

All the propagandist wants from an audience is results/action taken. Propaganda relies on tapping into the cultural currents/pre existing cultural values so the audience feels that their personal goals are in line with the goals of "the cause." A person listens to a particular propaganda because it reflects his deepest unconscious convictions without expressing them directly. Propaganda uses truth to ground the persuasive/coercive arguments so that the propagandist can short circuit the individuals decision making process

What propaganda was aimed at Hessian troops? How did it work? What propaganda was aimed at slaves (and by whom)? And how did it work?

American propagandist prepared bills in German and English to target Hessian soldiers in hopes of getting them to switch sides and fight for the colonies, it was somewhat successful because over half of the Hessian soldiers either died in combat or deserted. British propagandist target slaves in the colonies, encouraging them to revolt (Haitian revolt had just happened and slave owners were terrified). This ultimately worked in the colonies' favor because it gained southern support for the revolution

What are the three general end-states or goals of propaganda, according to Jowett and O'Donnell? How are "attitude," "value," "belief" and behavior distinguished?

Attitude - Evaluations or summaries of beliefs Value - Collections of attitudes towards something

Propaganda of Agitation

Being most visible and widespread grabs attention, has stamp of opposition, led by party seeking to destroy government or order.

Political Propaganda/Sociological Propaganda

Campaigns sells a person (not so much ideology).

How can these claims be reconciled: "In propaganda, truth pays off" (Lenin); 2) the bigger the lie, the better the chance of it working (Hitler)?

In order for it to be effective, must be anchored to some attitude/belief -truth pays off, by that he meant accuracy (scattered black propaganda among white propaganda)—Give credibility to the whole...key points have accuracy, then gives propaganda to begin to play with interpretation or drop a few things that cannot be verified, but if other parts are accurate and verified (ex. Nazi was the racialist lie-divided humanity but you could pull isolated facts here or there...big lie could not be verified, it's explanatory power links things that MAY have accuracy, so big lie slides through on basis of those truths).

What are the meanings relative to propaganda studies for these terms: information, hegemony, demagoguery, "palaver" as a form of propaganda?

Information - Hegemony - the power or dominance that one group holds over another. cultural univocality (one voice) of ideas or beliefs that allows for no alternative view. Demagoguer - a kind of speaking style associated with egotistic political leaders, often charismatic using emotional appeals to persuade them to move in a way that benefits the demagog. "palaver" as a form of propaganda -

Gray Propaganda

Information of questionable origin that is never sourced and whose accuracy is doubtful. Mixture of the two, essentially. May or may not correctly identify the source. May or may not be accurate in the information. Uncertainty.

You should understand with the key concepts and terms from Rank: the five parts of a "pitch," the four guiding questions for analysis of a "pep talk," the techniques to "intensify" and to "downplay," and the need to re-adjust expectations away from ideals ("not-so-great expectations"). Know the techniques associated with each strategy.

Intensify: Repetition, Association, and Composition(attention getting words) - Downplay: Omission, Diversion, Confusion -5 parts of a pitch- Attention getting techniques, confidence building techniques, desire stimulating techniques, responses sought -4 pep talk guiding questions- What is the threat feared? What words and nonverbal used in bonding the group? What is the cause being defended? What response is sought?

Covert Propaganda

Is black propaganda: it hides the goal/identity/or source

What is meant by "knowledge of the psychological terrain" of the public?

Key to psychological terrain is to understand what people are thinking.

Thum and Thum discuss the following propaganda techniques: Loaded Words, Fear Appeals, and Name Calling. Be prepared to define each of these techniques and to illustrate it with examples drawn from the Revolutionary period.

Loaded Words: Emotional term, descriptive, hard to be neutral. Ex. Massacre itself is a loaded word One sided bloodbath where one group is totally slaughtered by another group. Fear Appeals: found in all propaganda, especially black propaganda. Ex. The Sons of Liberty created fear in the Toris to get the to either join the patriots or stay out it. They would publicly out any Tori who broke their boycotts to make them objects of abuse by their community. Name Calling: The propagandist who uses this technique hopes that the audience will reject the person or the idea on the basis of the negative symbol, instead of looking at the available evidence. Ex: Newspapers ads with negative info about people in the war.

What were the propaganda techniques that arose with the Crusades? How do the Crusades themselves function today as a source for propaganda?

Pope promised people who fought and died in Crusades that they would go to heaven Racist/motivating remarks against "godless Persians" who raided the holy lands and captured Christians **He chose one detail out of 1000 that would cause an emotional response After 9/11 Bush referred to the war that was started in the middle east as a "crusade." His swords have continued to provide a rationale for many in the Arab world to view the "war on terrorism" with anger and suspicion and as a 21st-century version of the Crusades of the Middle Ages. (and potentially aiding in fueling propaganda against the U.S. involvement overseas)

What were the basic propaganda techniques employed by Martin Luther? What were the two primary propaganda strategies common to the various strands of the Protestant Reformation?

Posted pamphlets and sermon manuscripts as well as using images for the largely illiterate population. The Protestant Orange Order, an important cultural organization, insisted on its right to continue its marches through Catholic neighborhoods, symbolizing the victory of Protestant forces over Catholics at the Battle of the Boyne on July 12, 1690. The use of pictures with corresponding text.

What are the "special techniques" Jowett and O'Donnell discuss (they include 11 of them)? How does each of them work?

Predispositions of the Audience; Creating Resonance Messages have greater impact when they are in line with existing opinions, beliefs, and dispositions. The propagandist uses belief to create belief by linking or reinforcing audience predispositions to reinforce propagandistic ideology or, in some cases, to create new attitudes or behaviors or both. "Propaganda preserves within people outdated structures of feeling and thinking whilst forcing new experiences upon them. Source Credibility People have a tendency to look up to authority figures for knowledge and direction. Propagandist establishes identification with the audience and familiarity with the audience's locality and maintains knowledge of 'shared interest, hopes, and hatreds'. Opinion Leaders Building credibility in a community The analyst should identify the opinion leaders and examine the ways the propagandist appeals to their status and influence. Face-to-Face contact When a propaganda institution provides local organizations or places to go for "information"? This can extend in the digital realm with reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything) posts after a significant event Group Norms The propagandist exploits people's conforming tendencies, and the analyst should look for examples of this. Conforming tendencies are also used to create a "herd instinct" in crowds. Reward and Punishment A propagandist may even use threats and physical inducements toward compliance. Propaganda of the deed is when a nonsymbolic act is presented for its symbolic effect on an audience. For example, public torture of a criminal has been practiced for its presumable effect on others Monopoly of the Communication Source Visual Symbols of Power Language Usage Music as Propaganda Arousal of Emotions

Why, according to Ellul, must propaganda be of long duration and have continuity? How is it organized? How does it work relative to in-group and out-of-group dynamics?

Propaganda must be continuous and a long duration, key is that propaganda views persuasion process as something that occurs in increments or over time.

According to Ellul, how is propaganda "scientific" yet not a science in itself?

Propaganda uses truth, half-truth, and limited truth in aims to benefit the cause of the propagandist. Results are defined and assessed, the evidence is gathered, and technique is refined further. Propaganda is heavily sociology and psychology (specifically behavioral/conditioning, psychoanalysis of unconscious desires and needs + depth psychology) Examples: Hitler used findings from Freudian repression and libido. American Propaganda is based on Dewy's theories. Pavlov experiment on dogs used to apply behavioral Psychology (conditioning) to condition people into action.

Be familiar with the history of slavery in the Colonies and general attitudes and assumptions about slavery at that time. How did early settlers/colonists tend to view the capacities and potential of the African slaves themselves? How did attitudes about slavery affect the Constitutional compromises about slavery? What happened in 1794 that eventually altered the course of slavery and southern white attitudes about slavery?

Slavery was common throughout the world and race was never a factor. Slaves were often acquired through conquest and could be traded for goods/services or other slaves. AGAIN IT WAS NOT A RACE ISSUE. -in 1794 the cotton gin was invented which in turn made slavery big businesss -slaves were resistant to maleria which made them "better suited" for outdoor work

What is a "symbol"? What is the Whorf-Sapir hypothesis?

Something that is arbitrary (without any intimate, necessary, connection between the symbol and the meaning) Human creations that exist nowhere in nature. They are artificial. Products of art. Meaning is not contained within the word. We have to interpret it.

White Propaganda

States its origin - It is the most common type of propaganda. Attempts to build source credibility in the audience so that later it can follow-up with additional messages and have same credibility E.g., Smoking/texting & driving campaigns.

What were five main objectives for Revolutionary propaganda espoused by Samuel Adams?

The aims of the revolution needed to be justified; the advantages of the victories needed to be advertised; the masses need to be roused by action by creating hatred for the enemy; logical arguments from the opposition needed to be neutralized; all issues needed stated clearly in black and white so that even the common laborer would be able to understand.

What is meant by the claim that "propaganda ceases to function as propaganda the moment we become aware of it as propaganda"?

The claim essentially means that once the target audience of a propaganda campaign is aware of the propaganda it becomes ineffective.

How do Jowett and O'Donnell define propaganda? What is meant by a "communication approach" to propaganda?

The deliberate systematic attempt to shape perceptions, manipulate cognitions, and direct behavior to achieve a response that further the desired intent of the propagandist.

What were the basic propaganda techniques employed by Julius Caesar?

Writes "Gallic Wars" to establish his military prowess and sends it to Rome so they know and revere him when he invaded - they welcomed him. Celebrated all victories (even small) with parades and monuments, named a month after himself Statues, coins, monuments, buildings showed his power.

What is "ideology" and why is it central to "propaganda" campaigns (as distinct from advertising campaigns or political candidate campaigns)?

a worldview made up of beliefs, attitudes, and values. Ideologies are perpetuated by people and institutions. Ideology gives legitimacy to social dictates concerning behaviors.