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The development of new technologies such as radio and motion pictures as well as the emergence of high literacy rates allowed for the development of mass culture in many parts of the world, especially in the United States and Europe. During World War I, governments tried to harness the power of mass culture to unify and energize their populations for the war effort. For example, listen to the recordings made by the U.S. Government at Audio 1. For other forms of World War I propaganda see Images 1. For even more see Audio 2. How did governments try to shape mass opinion? What methods did they use? How did they try to harness new mediums of communication? |
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World War I showed the potential for institutions to shape mass culture. Before and after the war, others besides governments stepped in. Read Document 1 and Document 2. To view images of advertising after World War I see Images 2. How did corporate advertising shape mass culture? How did it shape perceptions on what it meant to be male of female, happy or unhappy, successful or unsuccessful? |
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Motion Pictures also offered a new method to influence mass culture. For the influence of "Hollywood" see Document 3 and Document 4. For images and film clips see Video 1, Video 2, and Images 3. |
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Radio was not available during World War I as a means of mass communication. With its evolution and popularity, however, corporations and governments developed strategies for shaping mass opinion through this new medium. Listen to clips of popular radio shows in the United States at Audio 3. For Franklin Roosevelt's use of the radio go to Audio 4 and Audio 5. (Click Fireside Chat) How did radio shape mass culture? How did it foster a national culture? |
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Other leaders besides Franklin Roosevelt used new propaganda techniques to promote their own version of national culture and unity. For Adolph Hitler see Images 4 and Document 5. For Joseph Stalin see Images 5. How did these two leaders use mass communication to mobilize public opinion? What potential dangers did their strategies reveal about the age of mass culture? |
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