Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
The changing nature of warfare, 1859–1991: perception and reality - 2…
Full specification wording
Paper 3, Option 37.1: The changing nature of warfare, 1859–1991: perception and reality - 2 Attempts to influence the public response to war: Official attempts to shape the public perception of wars, 1859–1991: the use of speeches, briefings, propaganda and information control in the US Civil War, Spanish-American War, the First and Second World Wars, the Vietnam War and the First Gulf War (key developments the Gettysburg Address 1863, demonising the enemy in the First World War 1917–18, Roosevelt’s broadcast after Pearl Harbor 1941).
This topic examines how governments and military authorities tried to manage public perception across six conflicts.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 1 of 2
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
This topic examines how governments and military authorities tried to manage public perception across six conflicts. In the US Civil War, Lincoln's Gettysburg Address (1863) reframed the war as a struggle for national survival and liberty, while conscription sparked draft riots. The Spanish-American War saw yellow journalism and official briefings shape support for intervention. In the First World War, propaganda demonised the enemy, especially 1917–18, and information control restricted reporting. The Second World War used speeches, broadcasts and censorship; Roosevelt's broadcast after Pearl Harbor (1941) rallied support. The Vietnam War exposed a credibility gap as televised coverage and briefings clashed with reality. The First Gulf War used pooled reporting and military briefings to control the narrative.
What earns the marks
- Explains how speeches such as the Gettysburg Address (1863) were used to frame war aims and sustain morale.
- Analyses the role of briefings and official information control in the Spanish-American War and later conflicts.
- Evaluates the use of propaganda to demonise the enemy in the First World War, particularly 1917–18.
- Assesses the impact of Roosevelt's broadcast after Pearl Harbor (1941) in shaping US public opinion.
- Compares the effectiveness of information control in the Vietnam War and the First Gulf War.
- Discusses continuity and change in official attempts to shape perception from 1859 to 1991.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Treating propaganda as always successful.
Put it right: Assess audience response and context, noting failures such as the US Civil War draft riots.
Assuming information control was total.
Put it right: Recognise leaks, foreign media and public scepticism, especially in Vietnam.
Confusing the Spanish-American War with later conflicts.
Put it right: Place it in 1898 and link yellow journalism to official briefings.
Exam tips
- Use specific examples with dates, such as the Gettysburg Address (1863) or Roosevelt's broadcast (1941), to support arguments.
- Compare methods across conflicts to show change over time, for example from speeches to televised briefings.
- Evaluate effectiveness by considering both government aims and public reaction, not just official claims.
Try the lesson
The start of the Paper 3, Option 37.1: The changing nature of warfare, 1859–1991: perception and reality - 2 Attempts to influence the public response to war: Official attempts to shape the public perception of wars, 1859–1991: the use of speeches, briefings, propaganda and information control in the US Civil War, Spanish-American War, the First and Second World Wars, the Vietnam War and the First Gulf War (key developments the Gettysburg Address 1863, demonising the enemy in the First World War 1917–18, Roosevelt’s broadcast after Pearl Harbor 1941). lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which 1863 speech by Abraham Lincoln was delivered at the dedication of a cemetery for soldiers killed in the US Civil War?
Listen
This topic examines how governments and military authorities tried to manage public perception across six conflicts. In the US Civil War, Lincoln's Gettysburg Address (1863) reframed the war as a struggle for national survival and liberty, while conscription sparked draft riots. The Spanish-American War saw yellow journalism and official briefings shape support for intervention. In the First World War, propaganda demonised the enemy, especially 1917–18, and information control restricted reporting. The Second World War used speeches, broadcasts and censorship; Roosevelt's broadcast after Pearl Harbor (1941) rallied support. The Vietnam War exposed a credibility gap as televised coverage and briefings clashed with reality. The First Gulf War used pooled reporting and military briefings to control the narrative. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explains how speeches such as the Gettysburg Address (1863) were used to frame war aims and sustain morale. Analyses the role of briefings and official information control in the Spanish-American War and later conflicts. Evaluates the use of propaganda to demonise the enemy in the First World War, particularly 1917–18. Assesses the impact of Roosevelt's broadcast after Pearl Harbor (1941) in shaping US public opinion. A common slip: Treating propaganda as always successful. Instead, assess audience response and context, noting failures such as the US Civil War draft riots. Exam tip: Use specific examples with dates, such as the Gettysburg Address (1863) or Roosevelt's broadcast (1941), to support arguments.
Put the events in order
Put these events in the order they happened, earliest first.
- 1. Roosevelt's broadcast after Pearl Harbor rallied support
- 2. Gettysburg Address framed war aims and sustained morale
- 3. Propaganda demonised the enemy during the First World War
- 4. Yellow journalism and official briefings shaped support for intervention
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Propaganda and censorship
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Speeches and leadership
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Media and briefings
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Public opinion and dissent
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Propaganda and censorship
- Official attempts to shape public perception, including demonising the enemy in the First World War and information control that restricted reporting.
- Speeches and leadership
- The use of speeches to frame war aims and sustain morale, such as the Gettysburg Address in 1863.
- Media and briefings
- Official briefings and media coverage, including yellow journalism in the Spanish-American War and pooled reporting in the First Gulf War.
- Public opinion and dissent
- Public response to war, including draft riots during the US Civil War and public scepticism, especially in Vietnam.
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Test your understanding of Paper 3, Option 37.1: The changing nature of warfare, 1859–1991: perception and reality - 2 Attempts to influence the public response to war: Official attempts to shape the public perception of wars, 1859–1991: the use of speeches, briefings, propaganda and information control in the US Civil War, Spanish-American War, the First and Second World Wars, the Vietnam War and the First Gulf War (key developments the Gettysburg Address 1863, demonising the enemy in the First World War 1917–18, Roosevelt’s broadcast after Pearl Harbor 1941).
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