Many former agents of the CPI remained associated with the government even after the
war was over. Bernays took the techniques he learned in the CPI directly to Madison
Avenue and became an outspoken proponent of propaganda as a "tool for democratic
government."
war was over. Bernays took the techniques he learned in the CPI directly to Madison
Avenue and became an outspoken proponent of propaganda as a "tool for democratic
government."
"Those who manipulate the unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is
the true ruling power of our country. We are governed, our minds molded, our tastes formed, our
ideas suggested largely by men we have never heard of. This is a logical result of the way in which
our democratic society is organized. Vast numbers of human beings must cooperate in this manner if
they are to live together as a smoothly functioning society. In almost every act of our lives whether
in the sphere of politics or business in our social conduct or our ethical thinking, we are dominated
by the relatively small number of persons who understand the mental processes and social patterns
of the masses. It is they who pull the wires that control the public mind." How warm and cozy!
the true ruling power of our country. We are governed, our minds molded, our tastes formed, our
ideas suggested largely by men we have never heard of. This is a logical result of the way in which
our democratic society is organized. Vast numbers of human beings must cooperate in this manner if
they are to live together as a smoothly functioning society. In almost every act of our lives whether
in the sphere of politics or business in our social conduct or our ethical thinking, we are dominated
by the relatively small number of persons who understand the mental processes and social patterns
of the masses. It is they who pull the wires that control the public mind." How warm and cozy!
| Rubbing their dirty Hands together for the next War: The Spin Masters |
In Propaganda Technique in the World War, Harold Lasswell in 1927 stated: "But when all
allowances have been made, and all extravagant estimates pared to the bone, the fact remains that
propaganda is one of the most powerful instrumentalities in the modern world. It has arisen to its
present eminence in response to a complex of changed circumstances which have altered the nature
of society.... A newer and subtler instrument must weld thousands and even millions of human
beings into one amalgamated mass of hate and will and hope. A new flame must burn out the canker
of dissent and temper the steel of bellicose enthusiasm. The name of this new hammer and anvil of
social solidarity is propaganda."
allowances have been made, and all extravagant estimates pared to the bone, the fact remains that
propaganda is one of the most powerful instrumentalities in the modern world. It has arisen to its
present eminence in response to a complex of changed circumstances which have altered the nature
of society.... A newer and subtler instrument must weld thousands and even millions of human
beings into one amalgamated mass of hate and will and hope. A new flame must burn out the canker
of dissent and temper the steel of bellicose enthusiasm. The name of this new hammer and anvil of
social solidarity is propaganda."
The Propaganda techniques for the "new hammer and advil" of social solidarity
Lasswell spoke of were first codified and applied in a scientific manner by journalist
Walter Lippman and psychologist Edward Bernays, top and bottom left, hired by
Wilson's gang to sway popular opinion to enter the war on the side of Britain, and this
they did by engendering fierce hatred, fear and revulsion of Germans, the first
successful experiment in mass brain washing using modern media. They masterfully
crafted a situation whereby Americans would tolerate one another's "diversity" and
pull together in solidarity for the war effort, while at the same time learning to despise
the Germans... as a Race. Today they might be charged with hate crimes.
Lasswell spoke of were first codified and applied in a scientific manner by journalist
Walter Lippman and psychologist Edward Bernays, top and bottom left, hired by
Wilson's gang to sway popular opinion to enter the war on the side of Britain, and this
they did by engendering fierce hatred, fear and revulsion of Germans, the first
successful experiment in mass brain washing using modern media. They masterfully
crafted a situation whereby Americans would tolerate one another's "diversity" and
pull together in solidarity for the war effort, while at the same time learning to despise
the Germans... as a Race. Today they might be charged with hate crimes.
Edward Bernays also directed CPI propaganda efforts in Latin America after the war. Then, in 1937
in his later career, Bernays, representing the tobacco industry interests, set up a stunt to popularize
the notion of women smoking cigarettes. He organized the "Torches of Liberty Brigade" in the 1929
Easter Parade in New York City in which suffragettes smoked cigarettes as they marched as a mark
of their liberation. The publicity that followed was momentous. Millions of women started smoking.
He set up the advertising format along with the AMA that for 50 years showed that cigarettes are
beneficial to health. Bernays worked in a lot of spheres and truly enjoyed his position of a mind
controller. He even popularized the idea of bacon for breakfast. Bernays says, in his "Propaganda":
in his later career, Bernays, representing the tobacco industry interests, set up a stunt to popularize
the notion of women smoking cigarettes. He organized the "Torches of Liberty Brigade" in the 1929
Easter Parade in New York City in which suffragettes smoked cigarettes as they marched as a mark
of their liberation. The publicity that followed was momentous. Millions of women started smoking.
He set up the advertising format along with the AMA that for 50 years showed that cigarettes are
beneficial to health. Bernays worked in a lot of spheres and truly enjoyed his position of a mind
controller. He even popularized the idea of bacon for breakfast. Bernays says, in his "Propaganda":
Carl Byoir had brought his public relations skills to the CPI using newspaper advertising campaigns
throughout the US aimed at the three million non-English speaking draft eligibles: six million notices
were sent to rural delivery boxes, and newsreel announcements shown to inform 30 million people of
their obligation to the war effort. He created the "League of Oppressed Nations," supposedly
representative of the various "ethnic loyalty" groups in the U.S. who had relatives in Europe under
Austrian or German rule, in short, people with their own nationalistic agendas.
throughout the US aimed at the three million non-English speaking draft eligibles: six million notices
were sent to rural delivery boxes, and newsreel announcements shown to inform 30 million people of
their obligation to the war effort. He created the "League of Oppressed Nations," supposedly
representative of the various "ethnic loyalty" groups in the U.S. who had relatives in Europe under
Austrian or German rule, in short, people with their own nationalistic agendas.
Then, the Lithuanian National Council in the United States hired Byoir for his first non-CPI
campaign. In turn, Byoir hired Bernays to help garner public support for U.S. Senate recognition of
Lithuania. This would allow Lithuania to be recognized as a free and independent nation and secure
Lithuania's future as a US ally. Still scratching each others' backs and mucking around in European
politics well after war's end, the two used techniques from the CPI, and their campaign was
successful. The motion to recognize Lithuania was approved by Congress. What were the motive for
such involvement in European politics? It would certainly be a stretch to claim it was of any benefit
to the United States to foment turmoil and foster more discord and anger in a recovering Europe.
campaign. In turn, Byoir hired Bernays to help garner public support for U.S. Senate recognition of
Lithuania. This would allow Lithuania to be recognized as a free and independent nation and secure
Lithuania's future as a US ally. Still scratching each others' backs and mucking around in European
politics well after war's end, the two used techniques from the CPI, and their campaign was
successful. The motion to recognize Lithuania was approved by Congress. What were the motive for
such involvement in European politics? It would certainly be a stretch to claim it was of any benefit
to the United States to foment turmoil and foster more discord and anger in a recovering Europe.
The war propaganda campaign of Walter Lippman and Bernays, a mission to sway popular opinion
in favor of entering the war on the side of Britain, had within six months so successfully crafted and
produced such an intense anti-German hysteria that it permeated almost every aspect of daily life in a
good part of the world, and eventually this psychological manipulation would be used on Germans
themselves after the next war through the "re-education" program influenced by the work of Bernays
(and carried out by another Bernays). Bernays coined the term "group mind" and was boastful of his
abilities: "If we understand the mechanism and motives of the group mind, it is now possible to
control and regiment the masses according to our will without their knowing it," Bernays argued. He
called this scientific technique of opinion molding the "engineering of consent."
in favor of entering the war on the side of Britain, had within six months so successfully crafted and
produced such an intense anti-German hysteria that it permeated almost every aspect of daily life in a
good part of the world, and eventually this psychological manipulation would be used on Germans
themselves after the next war through the "re-education" program influenced by the work of Bernays
(and carried out by another Bernays). Bernays coined the term "group mind" and was boastful of his
abilities: "If we understand the mechanism and motives of the group mind, it is now possible to
control and regiment the masses according to our will without their knowing it," Bernays argued. He
called this scientific technique of opinion molding the "engineering of consent."
It should be no surprise that George Creel resurfaces as a close friend of Franklin
Roosevelt, who often used Creel's column in Collier's as a trial balloon for ideas.
Thus, Creel, once of dubious character, wrote several early articles on the
Supreme Court and was privy to inside information. As an active Democrat, FDR
appointed him chairman of the National Advisory Board of the WPI in 1935.
George Creel may well have been, albeit very quietly, the most influential person
in the twentieth century and most people do not even know his name.
Roosevelt, who often used Creel's column in Collier's as a trial balloon for ideas.
Thus, Creel, once of dubious character, wrote several early articles on the
Supreme Court and was privy to inside information. As an active Democrat, FDR
appointed him chairman of the National Advisory Board of the WPI in 1935.
George Creel may well have been, albeit very quietly, the most influential person
in the twentieth century and most people do not even know his name.
"Such matchless skill as Wilson showed in propaganda has never been equalled in the world’s
history....From a propaganda point of view it was a matchless performance, for Wilson brewed the
subtle poison, which industrious men injected into the veins of a staggering people, until the smashing
powers of the Allied armies knocked them into submission. While he fomented discord abroad,
Wilson fostered unity at home." Now, there is a commendable accomplishment!
history....From a propaganda point of view it was a matchless performance, for Wilson brewed the
subtle poison, which industrious men injected into the veins of a staggering people, until the smashing
powers of the Allied armies knocked them into submission. While he fomented discord abroad,
Wilson fostered unity at home." Now, there is a commendable accomplishment!
Don't hold your breath if you expect to find anything
but praise lavished on the boastful cartel of intellectual
hoodlums who chose to experiment with the human mind
and try to twist it to meet their own desired political and
financial goals. Rather than being held accountable for
their roles in instigating hatred and violence in one of the
bloodiest conflicts in history, they are instead hailed as
"public relations geniuses" or "marketing pathfinders"....
even when the products they marketed killed people.
but praise lavished on the boastful cartel of intellectual
hoodlums who chose to experiment with the human mind
and try to twist it to meet their own desired political and
financial goals. Rather than being held accountable for
their roles in instigating hatred and violence in one of the
bloodiest conflicts in history, they are instead hailed as
"public relations geniuses" or "marketing pathfinders"....
even when the products they marketed killed people.
Harold Lasswell was at least succinct in the intent: "So great are the psychological
resistances to war in modern nations that every war must appear to be a war of
defense against a menacing, murderous aggressor. There must be no ambiguity
about who the public is to hate." Well, there certainly wasn't! But Lasswell was
willing to share the laurels of hate when he stated of Woodrow Wilson:
resistances to war in modern nations that every war must appear to be a war of
defense against a menacing, murderous aggressor. There must be no ambiguity
about who the public is to hate." Well, there certainly wasn't! But Lasswell was
willing to share the laurels of hate when he stated of Woodrow Wilson:
After a career of such illustrious war mongering and instigation, it was apparently
difficult to throw in the towel. Following the war, President Wilson recognized Byoir's
contributions to CPI and asked him to continue in the post-war fight for the minds of
the people in central Europe, and Byoir assisted George Creel in "reestablishing
communications between Czechoslovakia and capitals of various allies."
difficult to throw in the towel. Following the war, President Wilson recognized Byoir's
contributions to CPI and asked him to continue in the post-war fight for the minds of
the people in central Europe, and Byoir assisted George Creel in "reestablishing
communications between Czechoslovakia and capitals of various allies."
The Creel Gang
After the war, Bryce's "documentation" for the stories mysteriously disappeared. Although in 1936
Great Britain apologized to Germany over the lies contained in the Bryce Report, Bryce maintained
his untarnished reputation as a respectable man. In a cursory search of his glowing biographies, it is
difficult to find even a glimmer of criticism of Bryce. A recent Wikipedia biography of Bryce ends
erroneously with "in July 1915, and later - with the assistance of the historian Arnold J. Toynbee- he
produced a documentary record of the massacres, published by the British government in 1916 as the Blue
Book. Despite this publication having had propagandistic intents regarding the US, nevertheless its contents
proved to be bitterly correct."
Great Britain apologized to Germany over the lies contained in the Bryce Report, Bryce maintained
his untarnished reputation as a respectable man. In a cursory search of his glowing biographies, it is
difficult to find even a glimmer of criticism of Bryce. A recent Wikipedia biography of Bryce ends
erroneously with "in July 1915, and later - with the assistance of the historian Arnold J. Toynbee- he
produced a documentary record of the massacres, published by the British government in 1916 as the Blue
Book. Despite this publication having had propagandistic intents regarding the US, nevertheless its contents
proved to be bitterly correct."
Once the Americans had entered the war, Wellington House's task was done. There was little need
for the British to concentrate so much of their propaganda in that direction and in 1918, a Ministry of
Information was created under Lord Beaverbrook at the behest of Prime Minister Lloyd George to
deal with all propaganda used to stir up trouble in allied and neutral countries, while the Department
of Enemy Propaganda was formed at Crewe House under Lord Northcliffe to stir up trouble in the
enemy countries. All to make the world safe for democracy.
for the British to concentrate so much of their propaganda in that direction and in 1918, a Ministry of
Information was created under Lord Beaverbrook at the behest of Prime Minister Lloyd George to
deal with all propaganda used to stir up trouble in allied and neutral countries, while the Department
of Enemy Propaganda was formed at Crewe House under Lord Northcliffe to stir up trouble in the
enemy countries. All to make the world safe for democracy.
Later, following the decision of the American Senate not to ratify the Versailles Treaty with Germany
in 1919, a series of investigations began as to the reasons America entered into the war, and during
the course of these enquiries, many details concerning the devious nature and scope of Britain's
propaganda campaign in America between 1914 and 1917 were uncovered. Many in the United
States concluded that they had been duped into involvement on the Allied side, especially by the
secret British propaganda emanating from Wellington House.
in 1919, a series of investigations began as to the reasons America entered into the war, and during
the course of these enquiries, many details concerning the devious nature and scope of Britain's
propaganda campaign in America between 1914 and 1917 were uncovered. Many in the United
States concluded that they had been duped into involvement on the Allied side, especially by the
secret British propaganda emanating from Wellington House.
And what happened to the highly esteemed Lord Bryce and his infamous Report into alleged German
atrocities which helped propel the world to the brink of extinction?
atrocities which helped propel the world to the brink of extinction?
Famous American lawyer Clarence Darrow was a skeptic of Bryce's report
and travelled to France in 1915 to find even a single eyewitness who could
confirm just one of Bryce's stories. He even offered a $1,000 reward to
anyone who could produce a Belgian or French citizen whose hands had been
amputated by a German soldier. Nobody came forward. Nor could anybody
locate even one Belgian women supposedly made pregnant by German rape.
In fact, in 1922, a Belgian commission of enquiry failed to corroborate a single
major allegation contained in the report. Lord Ponsonby's opinion following a
postwar investigation into the accuracy of wartime atrocity stories could find
little or no evidence that any of them had been true. Bryce had knowingly lied.
and travelled to France in 1915 to find even a single eyewitness who could
confirm just one of Bryce's stories. He even offered a $1,000 reward to
anyone who could produce a Belgian or French citizen whose hands had been
amputated by a German soldier. Nobody came forward. Nor could anybody
locate even one Belgian women supposedly made pregnant by German rape.
In fact, in 1922, a Belgian commission of enquiry failed to corroborate a single
major allegation contained in the report. Lord Ponsonby's opinion following a
postwar investigation into the accuracy of wartime atrocity stories could find
little or no evidence that any of them had been true. Bryce had knowingly lied.
At the end of the war, George Creel and his CPI, whose propaganda offensive was the vehicle for
spreading outrageously deceitful atrocity stories distributed by the British government, were initially
and widely discredited, giving birth to the slang term "Creeling"...the dissemination of patently false
government propaganda. However, harsh judgement of the Creel gang never stuck. Today, Creel,
the CPI and his shady cronies receive little in the form of scorn or derision. It is likewise as difficult
to find much criticism of Wilson whose bad judgement sent millions of young men to their doom in a
conflict which skill, diplomacy and hard work might have averted.
spreading outrageously deceitful atrocity stories distributed by the British government, were initially
and widely discredited, giving birth to the slang term "Creeling"...the dissemination of patently false
government propaganda. However, harsh judgement of the Creel gang never stuck. Today, Creel,
the CPI and his shady cronies receive little in the form of scorn or derision. It is likewise as difficult
to find much criticism of Wilson whose bad judgement sent millions of young men to their doom in a
conflict which skill, diplomacy and hard work might have averted.