journal article
The Art of Influence: Propaganda as a War Tool During Imperial Invasions and First Aerial Leaflets
Abstract
Propaganda has long been a crucial tool in the arsenal of imperial powers, used to justify invasions, manipulate public opinion, and maintain control over conquered territories. This article examines the use of propaganda during two notable imperial invasions: Napoleon Bonaparte’s invasion of Egypt (1798-1801) and Italy’s invasion of Tripoli (1911-1912). By comparing these cases, the article highlights the different methods, mediums, and objectives of propaganda, exploring its role in shaping the narratives of imperial conquest and its lasting impact on both the invaders and the invaded. Beyond this, one of the first significant events that starkly illustrated the influence and relevance of propaganda was the First World War. There was not a single nation that had a propaganda apparatus that was centralised and coordinated when the war first began. On the other hand, as a result of the experiences and requirements that surfaced throughout the fight, every nation finally began developing their very own propaganda organisations in a variety of different approaches. In the years leading up to the outbreak of this conflict, in 1912, during the Italo-Turkish War in Tripoli, the very first occurrences of aerial leaflets being disseminated from aircrafts took place. This event represents an important milestone in the history of warfare. This study is also important because it is the first study to publish aerial propaganda texts using archival documents. © Phi Alpha Theta 2024.
Author keywords
aerial leaflets, imperial invasions, italy, napoleon bonaparte, ottoman empire, propaganda