Rule Britannia : an analysis of the propaganda which fuelled the wave of belligerent nationalism in Great Britain from 1719 to 1739
The purpose of this study is to examine in depth the role which propaganda played in forcing Walpole's government to start the War of Jenkins' Ear in 1739. There are a number of features which make this episode particularly interesting both as an example of the power of propaganda and as an example of the way in which a study of propaganda techniques throws new light on the political and artistic history of a particular period. Firstly it is unusual for an opposition rather than a government party to be going out of its way to create popular demand for a war. Secondly it is unusual to find so many writers, artists and musicians of the highest quality being recruited to assist in a propaganda campaign of any kind. Pope, Swift, Johnson, Gay, Chesterfield, Arne, Handel and Hogarth were among the list of contributors which included many other highly competent if less well known talents. Thirdly, while not unique, this campaign is nevertheless rare in providing an example of the use of a very wide range of media to achieve its ends: drama, ballad-opera, journalism, poetry, prose, satire, history, biography, painting, engraving, ceramics, sculpture and even architecture. Fourthly it provides a very interesting range
Thomson, Oliver
DA Great Britain
Rule Britannia : an analysis of the propaganda which fuelled the wave of belligerent nationalism in Great Britain from 1719 to 1739. The purpose of this study is to examine in depth the role which propaganda played in forcing Walpole's government to start the War of Jenkins' Ear in 1739. There are a number of features which make this episode particularly interesting both as an example of the power of propaganda and as an example of the way in which a study of propaganda techniques throws new light on the political and artistic history of a particular period. Firstly it is unusual for an opposition rather than a government party to be going out of its way to create popular demand for a war. Secondly it is unusual to find so many writers, artists and musicians of the highest quality being recruited to assist in a propaganda campaign of any kind. Pope, Swift, Johnson, Gay, Chesterfield, Arne, Handel and Hogarth were among the list of contributors which included many other highly competent if less well known talents. Thirdly, while not unique, this campaign is nevertheless rare in providing an example of the use of a very wide range of media to achieve its ends: drama, ballad-opera, journalism, poetry, prose, satire, history, biography, painting, engraving, ceramics, sculpture and even architecture. Fourthly it provides a very interesting range
rule britannia analysis propaganda fuel wave nationalism great_britain purpose_study examine depth role propaganda play force walpole government start war ear number feature make episode particularly_interesting example power propaganda example way study propaganda technique throw_new light political artistic history particular period firstly unusual opposition rather government party way create popular demand war secondly unusual many_writer artist high_quality recruit assist propaganda campaign kind pope johnson among list contributor include many highly competent less_well know talent thirdly unique campaign nevertheless rare provide_example use wide_range medium achieve end drama opera journalism poetry_prose satire history biography painting engrave ceramic sculpture even architecture fourthly provide interesting range