Attitudes in society

• What role did attitudes in society play during the World Wars?

  They shaped progress and government control.
• How did the media change after 1945?

  It radically changed public information access.
• What are conscientious objectors (COs)?

  Civilians who objected to conscription.
• What happened to COs during the First World War?

  They were often shunned and imprisoned.
• What symbol was sometimes used to signify cowardice towards COs?

  White feathers
• How were COs treated during the Second World War?

  They faced hostility and lost jobs.
• How did war reporting change from 1914 to 2003?

  • 1914: One journalist at the battlefield
  • November 1916: Five journalists allowed
  • 2003: 700 reporters in Iraq
  • New media revolutionized reporting
• What was the purpose of censorship during the First World War?

  To hide the worst news from the public.
• What type of information is propaganda designed to influence?

  Public opinion
• How did propaganda function during the Second World War?

  It focused on war horrors and morale.
• What could happen to newspapers that criticized the government during the Second World War?

  They could be shut down.
• What role did the BBC play during the Second World War?

  It informed the public and maintained morale.
• How did public attitudes towards war change after 1945?

  Support for war declined significantly.
• How many protestors marched against the Iraq war in 2003?

  One million
• What strategies are now used to maintain public support for war?

  Minimizing casualties on both sides.
• What challenge does new technology pose for government information control?

  It makes controlling information harder.
• What happened in 1991 regarding the bombing of Iraq?

  It was reported before official declaration.
• What type of information is still sometimes censored today?

  Casualty reports and critical views.
• How did reporting in Iraq in 2003 differ from earlier wars?

  Reports were read before publication.
• What are the differences in public attitudes between the First and Second World Wars?

  • First World War: High volunteerism, shunning of COs
  • Second World War: Hostility towards COs, alternative work offered
  • Post-1945: Declining support for war