Government Promotion of Soldier Morale
When wars are founded between opposing strengths and ideals, informing the public is the best way to create an enduring and stable public opinion. The government has the power of skewing this information and will most likely manipulate the information to a biased point of view especially when they are desperate for a nation to become passionate about war. In terms of media and message, propaganda efforts tended to be limited and its members feared to be defeated and hoped that discipline and persuasion would keep people on the front line in battle. When information is skewed in any way shape or form, the truth can and will present itself. When revealed, the party propagating the nation is held responsible for misinformation which will inevitably lead to anarchy- in which case is worse than a war against another country.
Propaganda plays an important role in a good leader’s effectiveness in persuading the people. This can be exemplified through leaders like Julius Caesar, Napoleon, and George Washington. These leaders recognized that the public’s opinion is a very important component in their endeavors. The public’s opinion is just as important if not more, than any war machines, guns, or planes, etc. An army is only as good as their soldiers; soldiers are only as good as their willingness to dedicate their body, soul, and spirit for the good of their country. The foundation of the army’s morale is through the morale of the nation. The soldiers in an army come from the country they are fighting for.
A way to propagate people is not by telling them what to do. One must leave the public to generate their own opinion, but instead by providing them with truth and facts to come to their own conclusions. It is important that the information given is true for the nation’s morale to be integral. Building propaganda on corruption and lies can carry a country to war but cannot win the war. Propaganda often masks it's source. Ex: Printed matter without signature, groups or leagues without headquarters, or phrases like "everybody says" or "it is well known". What carries the nation through the bloody business of war is the hope for a better future and for the victory of what the people believe to be right.