Social Studies - 6th Grade
Standard 4 Objective 1
1 class periods of 30 minutes each
Small Groups
Propaganda had a large effect on opinions during World War One. This lesson is to introduce students to what propaganda is and how it can affect opinions and actions during wartime.
Enduring Understanding:
Students will understand important ideas from World War One and their effects.
Essential Question:
How does propaganda affect opinions and actions of people and leaders during wartime?
World War One was full of images urging people to join the army, buy bonds, or support the war by growing their own victory garden. These images created nationalism as well as showed how evil the enemy was. Although some truth was shown in the posters, many were exaggerated to persuade citizens to do as the government desired. Propaganda was used in various countries and was quite effective for helping the war effort.
Pre-assessment:
Ask students if they have ever seen a commercial or poster that convinced them to do something. Ask them what was it that the author of the commercial or poster did or said that made the item persuasive. Discuss some reasons why people would want to persuade someone else.
Next, ask students in a time of war what a government would want to persuade people to do. Give examples such as: support the country with money, become a soldier, etc.
Ask them if they know what propaganda means and compare the definition to the posters or commercials the class discussed at the beginning of the lesson.
Have students write a summary about what propaganda is and how it can influence citizens and leaders during times of war.