This week we watched one of the films of the Why We Fight series directed by Frank Capra. Two questions asked before we watched the video are "who was it made for?" and "why?" Even though there was a draft and an attack on Pearl, many members of the military were still confused as to what they were doing overseas and why. This film highlights the role in which newsreel films played om shifting attitudes by tying existing beliefs and values to the threats that America saw at that point in order to shift public opinion from an isolationist stance. Initially these films were meant only for military personnel, but leadership felt it was necessary that the general public view these films as well. Many parts of the film appeal to emotions and idealistic sentiments. there are also scenes from the German propaganda film Triumph of the Will by Leni Riefenstahl.
1. What were the effects of Triumph of the Will in Germany?
2. Where there any films that tried to sway US public opinion in the other way?
1. Triumph of the Will was very popular in Germany. It allowed the German people to believe that Hitler and his cause were just. Although it did not mobilize scores of people to enthusiastically support all of the measures put forth by Hitler (such as the persecution of the Jews), it did encourage many to turn a blind eye to it.
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