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What is the use of posters, movies, and newspapers to "dehumanize and demonize" the enemy?

1) To create fear and hatred towards the enemy
2) To promote understanding and empathy towards the enemy
3) To educate the public about the enemy's perspective
4) To encourage peaceful resolution and reconciliation

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The use of posters, movies, and newspapers as propaganda during wartime is aimed at creating fear and hatred towards the enemy to encourage public support for the war effort. These media forms often lack a realistic assessment of the war, opting to demonize the enemy and promote blind patriotism through censorship and controlled narratives.

Step-by-step explanation:

The use of posters, movies, and newspapers during times of war typically has the purpose of dehumanizing and demonizing the enemy, this means they are used as tools to create fear and hatred towards the enemy. By depicting the enemy as bloodthirsty monsters, subhuman creatures, or equating them with disease, these media forms attempt to overcome the normal human repulsion against murder and violence. This method of propaganda encourages the public to support the war effort by instilling a sense of urgency and moral duty to protect one's nation.

These propaganda posters and other media pieces often call on civilians to support the war through various means such as rationing, buying war bonds, enlisting in the military, or working in industries vital to the war. While they may boost morale and support for the war effort, these pieces frequently do not offer a realistic assessment of the war. They are designed to promote a particular narrative that benefits the government's objectives by encouraging blind patriotism and demonizing the enemy, rather than providing a balanced view or seeking a peaceful resolution.

Censorship was also a common tool used to manage civilian discontent and maintain high levels of support for the war. Information about the war was tightly controlled with newspapers providing only vague details about battles and losses to maintain a strong pro-war sentiment among the public.

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