AQOTWF Essential Question:
How was the world they saw different from the one they’re told about?

There were SO many differences between what the soldiers thought they were getting into and what actually happened. So many dreams shattered, so much innocence lost, so much patriotism, nationalistic fervor, lust for adventure—whatever it was—shrouded by the gas descending into the trenches these men were in.

Propaganda during that time, I think, was some of the most effective Western history has seen. People were supporting a difficult and costly war for four years and a few months more because the propaganda posters made sure war fatigue wouldn’t spread among the masses. They all believe they owed their efforts to governments that were the ones owing everything to them.

The soldiers, on the other hand, didn’t get such luxury. These men who fought on the front recognized within a year or two of fighting that ideals don’t mean anything in a dog eat dog world. It didn’t matter whatever you hoped or wished for, only whether you lived or died. 

The propaganda said you’ll be a hero if you fight on the front. The propaganda said, or implied, it is your duty, this is your problem, this means EVERYTHING. Giving to your country is the best thing possible for you and everyone else, you should care about the country. But no one cares about YOU, frankly, on the front. Was there comradeship? Yes. But did any private get recognized for what he did? No. Was he paid anything? Medals and ribbons for a shelf. Was that private a hero? I guess so, but he wasn’t recognized as one. When the war ended people acknowledged his effort, but his life didn’t get better simply because he fought. Once he was spent by those in charge, he’s dumped back into his home that’s no longer home.

The propaganda didn’t tell them that.

It never told them all the bad, only the good. As if there was much good anyway. 

In short, young recruits were given a world–seen through rosy glasses–promising them the greatest adventure of a lifetime, the ultimate prize the glory and honor of serving others bestowed on his head.

Instead, they were given crutches and bandages, horrible stories to tell,and it was for governments and territory they fought for anyway–yes, it was basically a scam. One of the biggest scams in the world. 

WWI propaganda was a far better advertisement than the ones in modern day. It did its job well.