Propaganda

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What is Propaganda?
In the general understanding, propaganda is regarded as using messages to manipulate the opinions or behaviors of people actively. For most people when they hear the word "propaganda", they would immediately think that propaganda is bad and negative. Although it's partially the case in history, but this is not exactly true. Propaganda can be used positively or negatively.

Types of Propaganda
Propaganda can be generally divided into three different categories:

White propaganda

 * comes from an openly identified source
 * is not intentionally deceptive
 * usually characterized by gentler methods of persuasion

Black propaganda

 * pretends to be from a friendly source but is actually from and adversary and is intended to deceive the audience
 * most commonly used to disguise the true origins of propaganda

Gray propaganda

 * falls somewhere between white and black propaganda
 * has no identifiable source or author

Techniques of Propaganda Transmission
In order to use propaganda, users have usually used methods such as transmitting messages through the use of news reports, historical revisions, books, leaflets, movies and even word of mouth. The spreading of propaganda is not limited to the above but can be done through limitless ways.

Stages of Propoganda in War

 * The Preliminary Stage (concern)
 * The Justification Stage (sad story)
 * The implementation Stage (Censorship)
 * The Aftermath

Effectiveness of Propaganda
To ensure that the effects of the propaganda is effective, people who use propaganda will usually use a variety of methods to reinforce the message they are sending be it positive or negative. They could start propaganda by spreading certain information through words of mouth followed by leaflets which shows readers how to gain further information regarding a subject. This could be followed by providing interested readers with books, reports or videos regarding the subject matter.

The propaganda activity is considered to be successful when the target audience accepts the message that is being sent to them regardless of the actual accuracy of the message. When the target groups opinion or behavior is changed by the message, the propaganda activity is a success.

Propaganda and war
Propaganda was a very effective tool used in war. Propganga was mainly used to recruit the general public to join the army. One of the most famous propoganda posters consist of uncle Ssm wearing bright clothing with stars and stripes pointing his hand and finger at the audience. The text on the sign reads "I want you". This poster has effective the lives of many american men. Many men have joined the army during this campaign. The picture of uncle Sam, his facial expression and hand was very powerful. During the war, many posters also consisted of false perceptions of the countries enemy. For example, a picture of a 7 feet man who look like a monster would be used on propoganda poster to lure people to join the army. This picture gave people a perception that their enemies in war are not nice, you must kill them and they must die for you to stay alive. In reality, their soldiers of enemies are just like the audiecne, scared and frightened of war.

History of Propaganda Uses
Propaganda has been used as a means of people manipulation since the days when reliable record of human history exists. Different civilizations had been using propaganda to control different groups of people.

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 * The Catholic Church

One notable documented use of propaganda is by the Catholic Church. In 1622 (Chadwick 1994), Pope Gregory XV came to the realization that the Church was losing popularity throughout Europe, and devised a means to spread the faith. Creating a committee whose aim was to spread the faith and increase unity between Roman Catholics and foreign Catholics. Pope Gregory XV called this committee "Sacra Congregatio Christiano Nomini Propaganda", or "Sacred Congregation for Propagating the Faith" (Benigni 1996).

The aim of the congregation was to spread the faith to the "heathen masses" of the Americas and the Protestant population of Europe (Chadwick 1994). An expected result of the proclaiming of the Catholic faith was the conversion and acceptance of Catholic values and beliefs.

More recent examples of propaganda usage can be seen during:
 * the Russian Revolution
 * World War II
 * the Cold War
 * Iraq

Work Cited
"Propaganda" SourceWatch. Nov 12 2006 

Chadwick, Wendy. __Public Relations and Propaganda__. Collections Canada. 25 November 2006 

Benigni, U. __Sacred Congregation of Propaganda__. Catholicity.org. 25 November 2006  Hearn, Kathleen. "Digital Media: the Still Image." Sheridan Institute, Oakville. 23 Nov. 2006. 25 Nov. 2006 <[|https://vista.sheridaninstitute .ca/webct/cobaltMainFrame .dowebct]>.

Pics courtesy of "Propaganda" Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Nov 12 2006 