Free learning resources from arts, cultural and heritage organisations.

Teachers' Notes

Resource created by East Riding MuseumsHeritage Learning and Normanby Hall Country Park.

This resource explores some of the propoganda that was used in Hull and East Riding to try and persuade people into thinking certain ways about the war.

Curriculum Links

  • KS3 & 4 History: WW1

Learning Objectives

  • Knowledge of propaganda techniques used to encourage men and women to volunteer for service
  • Understanding the power of propaganda and the variety of techniques used
  • Skills in analysing and understanding historical material

Discussion Ideas 

  • Discuss and compare the different approaches in the images (see Resources). How do they appeal to the emotions? How are they intended to make people feel?
  • Which of the approaches do you think would be most effective, and why?
  • Why do you think propaganda featuring the sinking of the Lusitania and the E13 submarine might have been particularly powerful in Hull?
  • What kinds of mass communication techniques do governments and companies use today? 
  • How do these differ from those used during the First World War?
  • What's the difference between propoganda and fake news?  

Activity Ideas

  • Design your own propaganda poster. Think about who you want to recruit (e.g. soldiers or nurses) and what messages you could use to particularly appeal to them.
  • Design a First World War recruitment campaign using 21st Century  communication techniques. What approaches would you keep and what would you change?  How would you use social media in your propoganda?
View other WW1 resources on My Learning or see Supporting Links in Resources for further material on this topic.