British First World War Propaganda

A comprehensive A to Z examination of British propaganda during the First World War, this book explores 26 dedicated topics.

The First World War was a critical period in the development of modern propaganda, and Britain’s activities were particularly influential. Combining analysis of the latest scholarship with discussion of original propaganda sources, David Monger provides a critical introduction to the diversity of British First World War propaganda.

Examining subjects ranging from Duty and Jokes, to Kultur and Unofficial Propaganda, the author highlights how each form of propaganda was conceived, who was involved in its creation, and how it impacted its targets, whilst also crafting a narrative that links each topic from A to Z.

Individual forms of propaganda are central to Monger’s account, and each form serves as a starting point to examine broader social and cultural aspects of wartime Britain. For example, by linking imperial support to Britain’s self-styling on both world and home stages, and demonstrating how notions of ‘the British way of life’ played into ideas about duty and encouragements to enlist, Monger highlights the pervasive nature of British propaganda during the First World War, and reinforces its dependence on existing sociocultural factors.