Selling the Great War

Alan Axelrod's "Selling the Great War: The Making of American Propaganda" offers a comprehensive examination of how the United States government orchestrated one of history's most successful propaganda campaigns to transform public opinion during World War I. The book delves into the creation and operations of the Committee on Public Information, known as the Creel Committee after its chairman George Creel, which fundamentally changed how governments communicate with their citizens during wartime.

When the United States entered World War I in April 1917, the nation was far from unified in its support for the conflict. Significant portions of the American population, including immigrant communities with ties to Germany and Austria-Hungary, opposed involvement in what many viewed as a European problem. President Woodrow Wilson faced the daunting challenge of mobilizing a reluctant nation for a distant war. Axelrod meticulously documents how Wilson and his administration turned to systematic propaganda as the solution to this problem.

The author provides detailed coverage of George Creel's appointment to lead the Committee on Public Information and the unprecedented scope of the operation he would build. Creel, a journalist and political operative, assembled a vast network of writers, artists, speakers, and advertising professionals to shape American public opinion. Axelrod demonstrates how this effort represented a new application of emerging advertising and public relations techniques to the realm of government communication and wartime mobilization.

One of the book's strengths lies in its exploration of the various methods employed by the propaganda machine. Axelrod describes the Four Minute Men program, which recruited thousands of volunteers to deliver short, patriotic speeches in movie theaters, churches, and other public gatherings across the country. These brief talks reached millions of Americans with carefully crafted messages designed to build support for the war effort, encourage enlistment, and promote the purchase of Liberty Bonds.

The author also examines the visual propaganda that became iconic representations of the era. Posters featuring Uncle Sam, appeals to patriotism, and demonization of the enemy flooded American communities. Axelrod discusses how artists and illustrators contributed to creating powerful imagery that would influence not only the World War I generation but also establish templates for propaganda in conflicts to come.

Axelrod does not shy away from the darker aspects of this propaganda campaign. The book addresses how the government's efforts contributed to an atmosphere of suspicion and intolerance. German-Americans faced harassment and discrimination, German language instruction was banned in many schools, and even sauerkraut was renamed "liberty cabbage" in an excess of patriotic fervor. The author documents how propaganda created an environment where dissent became dangerous and civil liberties were compromised.

The book explores the role of the press during this period, showing how newspapers became instruments of the propaganda effort. Axelrod describes the carrot-and-stick approach used by the government, which provided access and information to compliant publications while applying pressure to those that questioned the war effort. This relationship between government and media during wartime raises questions that remain relevant in contemporary society.

Axelrod's research draws on primary sources and historical documents to construct a detailed narrative of this pivotal moment in American communication history. The book illustrates how the techniques developed during World War I would influence government communication strategies for decades to come, establishing precedents for how democratic governments manage information during times of crisis.

The writing remains accessible throughout, making complex historical and political developments understandable without oversimplification. Axelrod maintains a scholarly approach while crafting a narrative that engages readers interested in history, politics, media studies, and communication. The book serves as both a historical account of a specific period and a case study in the power of organized persuasion.

"Selling the Great War" contributes valuable insights into a transformative period in American history when the government learned to harness modern communication tools to shape public opinion on a massive scale. The book provides context for understanding how democracies navigate the tension between the need for national unity during wartime and the preservation of free speech and open debate. Axelrod's work stands as an important resource for anyone seeking to understand the origins of modern propaganda and its lasting impact on American society and governance.