Throughout U.S. history, organizations have sought to win the hearts and minds of the public through intentional, sustained mass persuasion campaigns. Analyzing primary sources related to these campaigns can provide students with opportunities to develop their information literacy skills while reflecting on key moments in history.
A new primary source set from the Library of Congress features 18 historical primary sources that teachers can use to facilitate such analysis. The set includes items from mass persuasion campaigns created in a variety of formats and employing diverse rhetorical strategies. Formats include posters, maps, pamphlets, newspapers, songs, films, and more. Rhetorical strategies range from appeals to reason, to motivation through fear, to inspiration using trusted authorities.
Together the 18 primary sources cover six key topics in U.S. history: World War I, World War II, the temperance movement, women’s suffrage, the mid-twentieth century Civil Rights movement, and public health. The set includes World War I posters designed to create fear of inhuman enemies abroad, while fostering a sense of community at home, as well as a World War Two poster imploring women to enter the workplace, and a film from the same era that shows what tragedy may befall if you take an unauthorized break from that work. The collection includes pamphlets that argue for and against women’s suffrage, and newspaper articles that supported and opposed the Civil Rights movement. Other unique items include a book of contest entries warning readers of the many evils of alcohol, a pair of maps intended to persuade more than navigate, and a New Deal-era public health poster that uses the image of a cute baby to create a fear of germs.
The Mass Persuasion Campaigns primary source set also includes historical background information, teaching suggestions, and links for additional information and primary sources. We hope that you and your students will find it to be a helpful resource!
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