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Committee on Public Information Poster
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Committee on Public Information Facts: Fast Fact Sheet
for kids
Fast, fun facts and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
about the Committee on Public Information
aka the Creel Committee.
What was the Purpose of the Committee on Public Information?
The purpose of the Committee on Public Information
was to provide members of the public with
information about the war effort and the
censorship of anti-war material. The CPI
became the US government’s propaganda and
publicity agency.
Who was the leader of the Committee on Public Information?
The leader of the Committee on Public Information was
journalist George Creel used modern public
relations techniques to promote the war
effort, at home and abroad.
Why was the Committee on Public Information
formed?
The Committee on Public Information was
formed to create public unity, counter
anti-war sentiments and to counter enemy
propaganda. To promote a patriotic message
and to stifle any opposing messages.
What was the role of the Committee on Public
Information?
The role of the Committee on Public Information
was to produce a variety of propaganda
materials which would reach everyone in the
nation and countries abroad by "selling
America to the World"..
Committee on Public Information
Facts for kids
The following fact
sheet contains interesting facts and information on Committee on Public Information
for kids.
Facts
about the Committee on Public Information for kids
Committee on Public Information Fact 1:
During WW1, national governments
employed propaganda on an unprecedented scale.
Committee on Public Information Fact
2: The arrival of the modern mass media,
with its ability to reach millions of people rapidly,
made propaganda an indispensable element of wartime
mobilization - refer to
WW1 Mobilization.
Committee on Public Information Fact 3:
The absence of public unity was a major concern
when America entered the war. Just one week after the United States
entered the war on April 6, 1917, the CPI was created on April 13,
1917.
Committee on Public Information Fact 4:
The journalist George Creel (1876-1953), a firm
supporter of Woodrow Wilson during presidential election campaigns,
was chosen to head the U.S. propaganda effort during World War One.
George Creel believed in the power of the press and that its
effectiveness should not be underestimated
Committee on Public Information Fact 5:
The CPI blended modern advertising techniques
with human psychology to produce propaganda on a large scale. The
commission comprised of 19 subdivisions, each devoted to a specific
type of propaganda
Committee on Public Information Fact 6:
The Creel Commission organized the
"Four Minute Men," volunteers who made patriotic
speeches for four minutes in public locations, functions
and schools. 75,000 speakers volunteered as
"Four Minute Men" delivered total of 755,190
speeches in thousands of American communities
Committee on Public Information Fact 7:
The Creel Commission used propaganda
techniques and communication vehicles to create anger
and fear among American citizens to illustrate how
terrible life would be if America and its allies lost
the war to the Germans.
Committee on Public Information Fact 8:
The Creel Commission used various
mediums including leaflets, movies, photographs,
cartoons, pamphlets, booklets, magazines, posters, press
releases and billboards to promote its messages.
Committee on Public Information Fact
9: The Creel Commission bombarded
foreign media outlets with news, official statements,
and features on American life and the war effort.
Several hundred volunteer translators helped the CPI
with this task.
Committee on Public Information Fact
10: 1,439 drawings were prepared by CPI
volunteers for the production of posters, window cards
and and signboards.
Committee on Public Information Fact
11: The free CPI daily newspaper, called
the "Official Bulletin" consisted of at least 8 pages
and had a 100,000 circulation to post offices, army
bases and other newspapers
Committee on Public Information Fact 12:
The CPI Division of films used
newsreels and 'shorts' to promote the war
Continued...
Facts
about the Committee on Public Information for kids
Facts
about the Committee on Public Information for kids
The following fact
sheet continues with facts about Committee on Public Information
for kids.
Facts
about Committee on Public Information for kids
Committee on Public Information Fact 13:
Movies were extremely popular
in America and highly effective abroad. Hollywood played its part in
propaganda.
● The names of the most
famous movies were "Pershing's Crusaders", “Our Colored
Fighters” "America's Answer", "The Little American", "The
Kaiser, Beast of Berlin" and "Under Four Flags."
● CPI Movies were used to
manipulate emotions to mobilize the people for a national cause
● The Kineto Company of
America edited, processed, and printed the CPI’s movies
● Charlie Chaplin starred in
"The Bond"
● Other movie stars, such as
Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks Jnr. joined Chaplin in
massive rally's aimed at selling Liberty Bonds
Committee on Public Information Fact 14:
Seventy-five million copies of
pamphlets were circulated in America
Committee on Public Information Fact 15:
The Creel Commission secured millions
of dollars worth of free advertising space from the
Press.
Committee on Public Information Fact 16:
Propaganda Techniques were employed
by the CPI including:
● The use of prominent people
to support the message with testimonials
● One of the most effective and
gruesome posters was 'Beat
back the Hun with Liberty Bonds' by Fred
Strothmann
● Convincing the audience they
were on the winning side
● Use of 'common sense'
propaganda techniques
● The use of emotionally
appealing words and images
● The use of slogans, cartoons,
drawings, photographs and stereotyping to attack the
enemy
● Also refer to
Hollywood in
the 1920s
Committee on Public Information Fact 17:
On an average week, more than 20,000
newspapers carried information provided through CPI
propaganda.
Committee on Public Information Fact 18:
Songs and Music was a prominent
feature at home fronts and on the battlefields and were
used as a great medium for conveying messages
Committee on Public Information Fact 19:
George Creel entitled his 1921 memoir
of his CPI tenure as "How We Advertised America".
Committee on Public Information Fact
20: The Committee on Public Information
was in operation for just over 28 months and was
formally disestablished by an act of Congress on June
30, 1919
Facts
about Committee on Public Information for kids
Facts
about the Committee on Public Information
for kids: American entry
and US role World War I
On April 6, 1917 the United States
Senate declared war on Germany
and fought with the allies in WW1. For additional
facts and information refer to the following links: .
Committee on Public Information for kids - President Woodrow Wilson Video
The article on the Committee on Public Information provides detailed facts and a summary of one of the important events during his presidential term in office. The following
Woodrow Wilson video will
give you additional important facts and dates about the political events experienced by the 28th American President whose presidency spanned from March 4, 1913 to March 4, 1921.
Committee on Public Information
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Interesting Facts about Committee on Public Information for kids and schools
●
Key events
and Committee on Public Information for kids
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The Committee on Public Information, a major
event in US history
●
Woodrow Wilson Presidency from March 4, 1913 to March 4, 1921
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Fast, fun facts about the Committee on Public Information
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Foreign & Domestic
policies of President Woodrow Wilson
●
Woodrow Wilson Presidency and
Committee on Public Information for schools,
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