creel manipulates minds
Manipulating the Public's Support
Although Wilson had initially promoted the motto "peace without victory", the enthusiasm once the war started led to the "selling" of the war by organizations such as the Committee of Public Information, headed by George Creel. His job was to "sell" the war to those who opposed it as well as to gain support for it. The Creel organization managed to organize an army of 75,000 men known as the "four-minute men" who delivered speeches in favor of the war. Americans also created millions of pamphlets containing the most potent "Wilsonisms" and included emotional appeals on posters and billboards. Anti-German movies like The Kaiser and The Beast of Berlin further incited Americans to support the war effort. Patriotic songs such as "Over There" sold war ideals but sometimes resulted in disillusionment. Nonetheless, propaganda and advertisements included the sale of war bonds, four great Liberty Loan drives, and increased taxes that would gather funds and rally support for the Allies.