Creating the Correct Frame of Mind
State Propaganda towards Black South Africans during the Second World War, 1939–1945
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 11422091 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Fankie L Monama (Stellenbosch University, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2021 |
| Volume | 73 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 601-632 |
| Publication date | 2021-07-03 |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | South African Historical Journal (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0258-2473 • E-ISSN: 1726-1686 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/02582473.2021.1918231 |
| OpenAlex | W3158169124 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 2 |
During the Second World War (1939–1945), black South Africans displayed apathetic attitude and disloyal tendencies towards government. They were disillusioned with the racially induced social, economic and political discrimination policies of the state. Authorities established systems and exploited mass communication platforms such as the print media, radio and films to disseminate propaganda towards blacks. The intended objectives were to combat apathy and to mobilise black loyalty and cooperation during the war. This article focuses on state propaganda towards blacks against the backdrop of structural constraints and inherent inconsistencies pertaining to the pursuit of justice, freedom and democracy abroad, and a segregated political framework within the country. It commences with a brief overview of South Africa’s political dynamics associated with the outbreak of the war, then outlines the government’s propaganda policy and rationale. Thereafter, it describes the institutional arrangements to facilitate propaganda dissemination, followed by an analysis of the different measures, media platforms, contents and main themes, including the responses of blacks to propaganda. The article seeks to illustrate how propaganda was conducted to mobilise black opinion and support, and the extent of its effectiveness and limitations within the context of divisions and discriminatory policies and practices in the country
Context (archaeology · Democracy · Government (linguistics · Media studies · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Public opinion · Racism · Sociology · State (computer science · African history and culture studies · History · Law · South African History and Culture
| Citations per year | 0.67 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2023 - 2025 (3) |
| Highly cited | No |