*** PROPAGANDA ***
The Medium is Never the Message!

Public Lecture by Dr. James A. Leith
Wednesday March 26
at 4 p.m.
W. D. Jordan Library, 2nd floor of the Douglas Library building

The exhibition is curated by Vivien Taylor in collaboration with Dr. James A. Leith, a leading historian of revolutionary France, whose publications are being featured. Educated at University of Toronto and Duke University, Dr. Leith taught at the University of Saskatchewan before coming to Queen's. Dr. Leith is author or co-editor of about a dozen books and innumerable articles. Two of his best known works are The Idea of Art as Propaganda in France, 1750-1799 : a study in the history of ideas and Space and Revolution : projects for monuments, squares and public buildings in France 1789-1799.

In Symbols, myths and images of the French Revolution, the publication based on a 1996 colloquium held in his honour, Leith underlines again his plea that scholars of revolutionary history recognize more fully the role of art and culture in moulding a "regenerate citizenry for the new society". (p. 7)

"In 1622, the Vatican established the Sacra Congregatio de Propaganda Fide, meaning the sacred congregation for propagating the faith of the Roman Catholic Church. Because the propaganda of the Roman Catholic Church had as its intent spreading the faith to the New World, as well as opposing Protestantism, the word propaganda lost its neutrality and subsequent usage has rendered the term pejorative." (Jowett & O'Donnell. Propaganda and persuasion. 1999. p. 2)
Pictured at right is a page from the facsimile edition of the Biblia Pauperum in the Esztergom Library, Hungary (published by Dausien, Hanau, 1967).

Propaganda has been used throughout human history from the time of Alexander the Great and the Roman Empire to the Reformation. When the printing press was invented in the mid-15th century, it became a powerful tool for the distribution of propaganda. As new mass media were developed, they too were adopted as the propaganda machine became increasingly sophisticated. Propaganda continued to play a major role in shaping the outcome of wars and revolutions from the 18th century to the present day.

The paper cut poster, at left, is a beautifully executed example of art in the service of politics. This one illustrates one of the major themes of the Chinese Cultural Revolution: "Destroy the Four Olds [old ideas, old culture, old customs, old habits]. Establish the Four News".
The poster on the right depicts the indoctrination of children into Chairman Mao's Little Red Guards. The slogan reads: "Learn Well and Progress Daily".

The display includes sections on the following regimes: Revolutionary France, Nazi Germany, the Chinese Cultural Revolution, and the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia.

The slogan on this 1927 Russian poster, at right, encourages the workers of the world to unite. "Everyone to the polls to elect the Soviets!" This is one of the set of 40 "Posters of the Russian Revolution, 1917-1929", issued in 1967 by Grove Press, New York.

** There is also a section on World War propaganda. Likewise, all countries involved in the two world wars relied heavily on nationalist propaganda to build and maintain support for "the cause". Typical themes are: recruitment and conscription, war loans, security issues and secrets.
The images below are selections from our extensive collection of Canadian war loan and victory bond posters.

Families are encouraged to give up something (fishing tackle, a rug, a dress, roller skates) in order to buy Canadian war bonds.

• Printed Text media : --- * Key revolutionary publications; such as, Chairman Mao's Little Red Book, the manual for the Communist way of life and Mein Kampf, Adolf Hitler's manifesto on national socialism --- * Broadsides (proclamations and manifestos) --- * Political Pamphlets, the medium that preceded newspapers as a forum for discussing ideas and garnering public support --- * Newspapers, Periodicals, Cartoons --- * Children's stories and Games. There are Playing Cards from the French Revolution also in the exhibit.

  At right is a panel from the children's "Game of the Goose", played during the French Revolution. There are many versions of this instructional game in various cultures.

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• Visual Print / Image media: ---
  * Fine Arts: Painting Sculpture, Monuments and Architecture

  
  The magnificent evocative painting by Canadian artist, John Byam Lister Shaw, entitled, "The flag", illustrates the theme of patriotism.

  * Posters, because of their mass distribution, are a powerful means of glorifying war and leading public opinion in all cultures; they create and help perpetuate easily identifiable symbols and icons. --- * Photographs --- * Postage stamps (miniature posters) --- * Flags --- * Medals and coins are produced to honour leaders and heroes. There are several medallions from the French Revolution on display.

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• Performing Arts: --- * Music: Military marches, Songs, National Anthems ---
  
  * Theatre and Opera --- * Film --- * Radio, Television, the Internet and other Electronic Media.