The Truth is the best picture, best propaganda" -Robert Capa
Propaganda is used to promote a particular political issue and usually ends up changing the conversation, making the race to win more competitive for the candidates and the voters as well. It often depicts the best image of a political candidate possible, glorifying their good traits. However, propaganda can also be used to ridicule another political candidate or party, in which case they can be portrayed in an evil light.
Election Posters
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Election propaganda have been used ever since the election of George Washington. These artifact illustrate the early use of presidential election propaganda and shows the changes throughout the years - from more wordy posters to more visual and slogan-relied posters.
Click on each image to read a detailed description of the evolution of election posters.
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Campaign Buttons
- Campaign buttons have been around since the first presidential campaign. As George Washington made his way from Mount Vernon to New York for his swearing in, vendors along the route offered up commemorative brass or copper buttons to those who showed up to see the first president and celebrate his election. Even if you weren’t a part of the special election activities, “you could actually participate by putting on a small button,” says curator Rubenstein. Click here to see more election artifacts.
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- "Ten Artifacts from the Smithsonian Collections on American Politics." Smithsonian, 22 Feb. 2012, www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/ten-artifacts-smithsonian-tell-us-crazy-history-american-politics-180958176/Accessed 26 Oct. 2017.
Silly Hats!The Democratic and Republican conventions want to demonstrate unity and control which leads to not allowing unsanctioned campaign material onto the floor, unless it affect the brand. But delegates can wear whatever they want. Many wore outfits, or even hats to identify their delegation. Hats tend to be the ultimate expression of identity.
"Silly Hats Are Convention Catnip." Smithsonian, 22 Feb. 2012, www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/ten-artifacts-smithsonian-tell-us-crazy-history-american politics-180958176/?page=4. Accessed 26 Oct. 2017. |
Fake News
Holan, Angie Drobnic. "2016 Lie of the Year: Fake News." PoliFact, 13 Dec. 2016,
www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2016/dec/13/2016-lie-year-fake-news/. Accessed 1 Nov. 2017. |
The term "fake news" is one that has recently become more familiar among Americans, particularly through its role in the 2016 election. Fake news is false content that is designed to appear true to consumers, often with the goal of making the false information go viral. For example, one conspiracy accused Hillary Clinton of running a child sex ring out of a pizza shop. The photo at the left shows notes and flowers that were left at the notorious Comet Ping Pong, the pizza shop in Washington that was targeted by this fake news. |