Committee on Public Information

Definition

The Committee on Public Information, also known as the Creel Committee, was an independent government agency established in 1917 by President Woodrow Wilson to manage public opinion and propaganda during World War I. Its primary purpose was to influence American and international attitudes towards the United States' involvement in the war.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Committee on Public Information was led by journalist George Creel, who was appointed by President Wilson to chair the organization.
2. The committee utilized various propaganda techniques, including posters, films, and public speeches, to garner support for the war effort and demonize the enemy.
3. The committee's activities were criticized for their heavy-handed approach to censorship, which included the suppression of anti-war sentiment and the monitoring of the press.
4. The Espionage Act of 1917, passed shortly after the establishment of the Committee on Public Information, granted the government broad powers to prosecute individuals for disclosing information related to national defense.
5. The Committee on Public Information was disbanded in 1919, shortly after the end of World War I, amid concerns over its impact on civil liberties and the free press.

Review Questions

• Explain the purpose and goals of the Committee on Public Information during World War I.
  • The Committee on Public Information was established by President Woodrow Wilson to manage public opinion and propaganda during World War I. Its primary goal was to influence American and international attitudes towards the United States' involvement in the war, using various techniques such as posters, films, and public speeches to garner support for the war effort and demonize the enemy. The committee played a significant role in shaping the public's perception of the war and the government's actions, though its heavy-handed approach to censorship was widely criticized.
• Describe the relationship between the Committee on Public Information and the Espionage Act of 1917.
  • The Espionage Act of 1917, passed shortly after the establishment of the Committee on Public Information, granted the government broad powers to prosecute individuals for disclosing information related to national defense. This legislation gave the Committee on Public Information additional tools to suppress anti-war sentiment and monitor the press, as the committee could threaten legal action against those who criticized the government's policies or the war effort. The interplay between the committee's propaganda efforts and the Espionage Act's censorship powers highlighted the tensions between the government's desire to control information and the public's right to free expression during wartime.
• Evaluate the long-term impact of the Committee on Public Information's activities on American democracy and civil liberties.
  • The Committee on Public Information's heavy-handed approach to propaganda and censorship during World War I raised significant concerns about its impact on civil liberties and the free press. The committee's ability to suppress anti-war sentiment and monitor the media was seen by many as a threat to the principles of democracy and free speech. The disbandment of the committee in 1919, shortly after the end of the war, was a recognition of these concerns. However, the legacy of the Committee on Public Information's actions continued to be debated, as the government's use of propaganda and censorship during wartime has remained a contentious issue in American politics and society, with ongoing discussions about balancing national security interests with the protection of civil liberties.

Related terms

Propaganda: Information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote a political cause or point of view.

Censorship: The suppression or prohibition of any parts of books, films, news, etc. that are considered objectionable or a threat to security.

Espionage Act of 1917: A United States federal law that prohibited the unauthorized disclosure of information related to national defense.