Propaganda from the American Civil War

(Hardback)

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Description

Offering comprehensive coverage for those examining Civil War propaganda, this volume provides a broad analysis of efforts by both Union and Confederate sides to influence public opinion of America's deadliest conflict. This illuminating reference work contains excerpts from roughly 100 individual pieces of propaganda generated during the American Civil War in the North and the South, as well as contextual analysis to assist readers in understanding its utility, importance, and effect. It includes written arguments, staged photographs, and political cartoons, all of which were used to advance one side's objectives while undermining the enemy's. This helps readers to understand the underlying arguments of each side as well as the willingness of each to distort the truth for political, military, or economic advantage. This book is organized chronologically, allowing readers to understand how propaganda developed and expanded throughout the war. It includes a chapter dedicated to each of the war years (18611865), an antebellum chapter, and a postwar chapter. Each document comprised in the volume includes an analysis of the significance and effectiveness of the piece and guides readers to examine it with a critical eye. The original source documents remain in their original verbiage, including common spelling errors and other interesting aspects of 19th-century communication.

Reviews

Libraries serving high school students and undergraduates should strongly consider acquiring this work as it conveniently packages a wide variety of resources that will be of use in disciplines as varied as art, history, music, poetry, and political science. * ARBA *

Author Bio

Paul J. Springer, PhD, is a full professor of comparative military studies and chair of the Department of Research, Air Command and Staff College and a senior fellow of the Foreign Policy Research Institute.