[Rhetorical Balkanization: War Propaganda 1917-2005]

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Rhetorical Balkanization War Propaganda
1917-2005 War propaganda provides us with an
interesting communication archetype with which to
begin to demonstrate the divisive power of
rhetorical warfare. This collection of images
and films attempts to display both the varying
artistic techniques and the accompanying language
used to raise the morale of friendly forces,
break the spirits of the enemy, and prepare
civilians for the challenges of a war-time
environment. Stalin and Hitler extensively used
both platforms in the 1930s and 40s. On April 13,
1917, Wilson created the Committee on Public
Information (CPI) to promote the war
domesticallywhich recruited heavily from
business, media, academia, and the art world.
These techniques continue to be used today
seemingly innocuous bits of paper fluttering
gently to the earth, disturbed only by the jet
streams of billion dollar fighter planes and the
over blasts of laser-guided smart bombs evening
news programs streaming live video of death and
destruction. It is this precise juxtaposition of
passive warfare with the unbelievably destructive
power of modern war machines that makes this
topic so interesting how does a 4 x 5 inch piece
of paper fit in with the powerful arsenal of
todays war machines? To answer this question we
should examine some common types of
propagandistic rhetoric. After identifying these
common language techniques we can then examine
specific examples of leaflet propaganda.
Simultaneously, well look at early examples of
cinematic propaganda. Hopefully, this
investigation will reveal a strategy that can be
grafted onto an architectural practice, either by
identifying typologies of construction
(linguistic/artistic/architectural) from which we
can build upon, and/or identifying methodologies
of destruction for which we can build against.
source http//www.propagandacritic.co
m filed by sds 2 April 2005
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WWI Propaganda Postcard style, diagramming the
apparent benefits of replacing meat with cottage
cheese and using less sugar. US Government
issued directed at US citizens date of
occurrence 1918 place of occurrence United
States filed by sds, 1 Apr 05
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(No Transcript)
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WWII Propaganda Leaflet style, depicting the
alleged power of the German missiles on the
destruction of European cities. Nazi Germany
Propaganda directed at US troops date of
occurrence 1944 place of occurrence
Europe filed by sds, 1 Apr 05
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(No Transcript)
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Gulf War Propaganda Leaflet style, depicting
civilians and religious sites in the middle of a
war zone. Translation of Arabic is as
follows Saddams first line of defense is
innocent civilians. The actions of Saddam are
what provoked the attack of the world on Iraq.
The coalition armies are doing their best to
prevent the harming of innocents, but Saddam has
placed civilians at strategic military points to
die instead of his troops. US, or Coalition
Military Leaflet date of occurrence
1990-91 place of occurrence Iraq or
Kuwait filed by sds, 1 Apr 05
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3 x 6 inch paper leaflet
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Gulf War Propaganda Leaflet style, depicting a
coalition bomb. Translation of Arabic is as
follows Warning! This is just the beginning. We
wish that this bomb is real. We want to prevent
the death of innocent people, but Saddam is
leading them towards destruction and death. We
want to tell them the truth-Saddam is the
reason. The coalition armies are able to attack
aggressively at any time and any place.
Warning! US, or Coalition Military
Leaflet date of occurrence 1990-91 place of
occurrence Iraq or Kuwait filed by sds, 1 Apr
05
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3 x 6 inch paper leaflet
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Gulf War Propaganda Leaflet style, depicting
Saddam fleeing the bombing of Iraq. Translation
of Arabic is as follows Saddam is the only
reason that Iraq is being bombed. The actions of
Saddam Hussein are what provoked war in Iraq.
The allied armies are doing their best to prevent
innocents from being harmed but Saddam has
purposely placed civilians in military positions
to die instead of the Iraqi army troops and so he
is sacrificing the civilians and holy sites and
history of Iraq. US, or Coalition Military
Leaflet date of occurrence 1990-91 place of
occurrence Iraq or Kuwait filed by sds, 1 Apr
05
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3 x 6 inch paper leaflet
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Gulf War Propaganda Leaflet style, clearly
stating the intent of humanitarian workers.
Written in both Persian and English. US, or
Coalition Military Leaflet date of occurrence
1990-91 place of occurrence Iraq or
Kuwait filed by sds, 1 Apr 05
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6 x 9 inch paper leaflet
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Gulf War Propaganda Leaflet style, depicting
Iraqi currency with text on the back. The text
is written in the form of a poem. Translation as
follows There is no difference between your
money and this paper. What are the available
things in the country and what are the
unavailable things? Disease is spread and
medicine is not available. Famine is spread and
food is unavailable. Filthiness is spreading
but water and soap we dont have. Darkness is
over us, but electricity we dont have. You
need protection, but your husband is not here.
You fear Saddam, but revolting is not on your
mind. Death is staring at you and you dont have
power to change it. People of Iraq you know what
might happen and you are staying at your
home. Military, civilians, seniors, youth, women,
men, it is time to remember the call of beauty.
Lets take to the streets and alleys to make
Saddam and his regime fall. US, or Coalition
Military Leaflet date of occurrence
1990-91 place of occurrence Iraq or
Kuwait filed by sds, 1 Apr 05
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3 x 6.5 inch paper leaflet
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Gulf War Propaganda Leaflet style, showing a
picture of Saddam Hussein with text on the back.
Translation as follows Front The cold face of
death and war. Back Sons of Iraq with your
death you lengthen the life of Saddam Hussein,
while you shorten the life of our country. US,
or Coalition Military Leaflet date of
occurrence 1990-91 place of occurrence Iraq
or Kuwait filed by sds, 1 Apr 05
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4 x 5 inch paper leaflet
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Cold War Propaganda Film by U.S. Federal Civil
Defense Administration Stills from
film/animation showing children how to recognize
a nuclear explosion and take cover from the
blast date of occurrence 1951 place of
occurrence United States filed by sds, 1 Apr
05
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(No Transcript)
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WWII Propaganda Film by U.S. Office of War
Information Stills from film showing
college-age men in military training and the
women who will take over their previous jobs when
the men go to war date of occurrence
1942 place of occurrence United States filed
by sds, 1 Apr 05
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(No Transcript)