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Propaganda for War: The Campaign Against American Neutrality, 1914-1917
US funds and resources were going to the allied front but no recognized manpower. The allies battles were merely holding actions (normal for wars after WW II) against the axis but the war in Europe was at a standstill.
British influence pervaded every corner of US life from pulpits to the press, to convince the US to enter the Great War and the UK did not spare a farthing to make sure the otherwise non-committed US government and citizens declared war against Germany
This is a detailed account of the actions taken by the UK to turn US opinion towards going to war through emotive manipulation.
British influence pervaded every corner of US life from pulpits to the press, to convince the US to enter the Great War and the UK did not spare a farthing to make sure the otherwise non-committed US government and citizens declared war against Germany
This is a detailed account of the actions taken by the UK to turn US opinion towards going to war through emotive manipulation.
- GenresHistory
352 pages, Cloth
First published January 1, 1939
About the author
Horace C. Peterson
2 booksHorace Cornelius Peterson (1902-1952) taught at the University of Oklahoma.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
want-to-obtain
July 27, 2026No reviews so here is one:
This book by Peterson, originally written published in 1939 by the University of Oklahoma Press, examines the propaganda lies that were discursively constructed by the British against Germany during World War I, with the aim to move her formerly rebellious 'son' from neutrality to global intervention on behalf of British empire. In the words of Peterson: "The British campaign to induce the United States to come to their assistance affected every phase of American life; it was propaganda it its broadest meaning . . . [I]n the American classrooms and pulpits, factories, and offices . . . developed a blind hatred of everything German. After this hatred had distorted American neutrality, it created a willingness to sacrifice American youth in an attempt to punish the hated nation."
This book deserves a spot on one's shelf next to Peterson & Fite's 'Opponents of War, 1917-1918'.
Review 2:
Critics of the Jay Treaty like to say that independence from Britian was never a reality, but even those that insist that we were independent will have trouble arguing against the fact that soon after becoming an imperial nation, we allied ourselves with the imperial interests of the United Kingdom and have been wedded to them ever since. The process by which the Americans were herded into this relationship is well documented in this book. A must read for all.
I love stumbling onto books like this. Doubt I do find it cheap enough.
This book by Peterson, originally written published in 1939 by the University of Oklahoma Press, examines the propaganda lies that were discursively constructed by the British against Germany during World War I, with the aim to move her formerly rebellious 'son' from neutrality to global intervention on behalf of British empire. In the words of Peterson: "The British campaign to induce the United States to come to their assistance affected every phase of American life; it was propaganda it its broadest meaning . . . [I]n the American classrooms and pulpits, factories, and offices . . . developed a blind hatred of everything German. After this hatred had distorted American neutrality, it created a willingness to sacrifice American youth in an attempt to punish the hated nation."
This book deserves a spot on one's shelf next to Peterson & Fite's 'Opponents of War, 1917-1918'.
Review 2:
Critics of the Jay Treaty like to say that independence from Britian was never a reality, but even those that insist that we were independent will have trouble arguing against the fact that soon after becoming an imperial nation, we allied ourselves with the imperial interests of the United Kingdom and have been wedded to them ever since. The process by which the Americans were herded into this relationship is well documented in this book. A must read for all.
I love stumbling onto books like this. Doubt I do find it cheap enough.
August 16, 2026
What makes this book so interesting are the amazing parallels with the situation today. Substitute Israel for Great Britain, Iran for Germany, and modern media for newspapers and you have it. Propaganda is still alive and well in the service of the warfare state. The refusal of American leaders to actually remain neutral and not get involved in European (or MIddle Eastern) wars has been responsible for trillions of wasted dollars, millions of destroyed lives, and destruction of countless cities and countrysides. Great Britain had a propaganda ministry (Wellington House) dedicated to mold opinion in the US for the purpose of drawing the US into WWI on the side of the Allies. Even before war was actually declared against Germany in April 1917, America had been supplying material to Great Britain in vast quantities and turning a blind eye to Britain's violation of international law. The interlocking of financial interests and politics still goes on. The book concludes at the point of America's declaration of war, so no mention is made of Bernard Baruch and the War Industries Board.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews