Contempt for the enemy, if illustrated, can prove to be an unwise form of falsehood. There was a time when German soldiers were popularly represented cringing, with their arms in the air and crying 'Kamerad,' until it occurred to Press and propaganda authorities that people were asking why, if this was the sort of material we were fighting against, had we not wiped them off the field in a few weeks.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Overly simplistic enemy stereotypes can backfire, making people question why such depictions aren't quickly eliminated in war.
- In plain terms
- Stereotypical enemy portrayals may cause public doubt.
- What can you take from it?
- Avoid caricatures that undermine credibility.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When do stereotypes become counterproductive?
- How can propaganda stay effective without losing trust?
Another view
Simple images can be effective for rallying support despite their inaccuracy.
More from Arthur Ponsonby
Atrocity lies were the most popular of all, especially in this country and America; no war can be without them. Slander of the enemy is esteemed a patriotic du…
Permalink to quote #19 A good deal depends on the quality of the lie. You must have intellectual lies for intellectual people and crude lies for popular consumption, but if your popu…
Permalink to quote #21 In Vienna an enterprising firm supplied atrocity photographs with blanks for the headings so that they might be used for propaganda purposes by either side.
Permalink to quote #18
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