S11: Propaganda War

• Mutiny of Zhang Xueliang in Dec 1936
• Chiang Kai-shek held hostage for two weeks
• Led to the second United Front between Nationalists and Communists
• Mobilizing all of China’s military forces to repel Japanese advance
• Marked Soviet Union’s rising power and clout in China: Stalin
• Nationalism as potent force for political mobilization
• Zhang Xueliang arrested and under arrest until 1991

• Capitals on the move: Wuhan, then Chongqing
• Doubling of population in Chongqing: From 0.5 million in 1937 to 1+ million in 1944
• Nearly daily Japanese air raid, designed to destroy morale
• Establishment of the People’s Political Council (PPC)
• 60% of China’s population, only 5% of its industry
• Galloping inflation: Printing currency to pay growing deficits

• Collaboration regime: Reorganized Government of the Republic of China, founded in 1940
• Wang Jingwei doctrine: combining pan-Asianism and Chinese nationalism
• Justification:
  • Mounting war costs and exhausted population
  • Peaceful resolution to military conflict with Japan
  • Nationalist state under Chiang unwilling or unable to protect the people during war
• Occupied China as part of “the Greater East Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere”

“We were going to try to make soldiers out of boys who, for the most part, had never seen a gun. He said they were being uprooted from civilian life and thrown into Army camps. And the reason why was hazy in their minds… And that, Capra, is our job – and your job. To win this war we must win the battle for men’s minds.”

Hitler

• Avoid abstract ideas - appeal to the emotions.
• Constantly repeat just a few ideas. Use stereotyped phrases.
• Give only one side of the argument.
• Continuously criticize your opponents.
• Pick out one special “enemy” for special vilification.

Goebbels

• Propaganda must be planned and executed by only one authority.
• Propaganda must label events and people with distinctive phrases or slogans.
• Propaganda to the home front must prevent the raising of false hopes which can be blasted by future events.
• Propaganda must facilitate the displacement of aggression by specifying the targets for hatred.
• Propaganda cannot immediately affect strong counter-tendencies; instead it must offer some form of action or diversion, or both.

Footage: - Found footage: Utilizes a mix of newsreel, documentary, and battlefield footage. - Notable use of editing to stitch together disparate visuals into a coherent message.

Pace: - Films average 57 minutes, shorter than typical Hollywood productions. - Rapid pace with an average shot length of 3.5 seconds: an engaging rhythm designed for clear communication.

Music: - Music is simple, repetitive, and emotionally resonant - Designed for immediate appeal and enhancing the narrative’s emotional tone.

Narration: - Colloquial yet authoritative voice. - The narration connects with a broad audience, using familiar language and relatable descriptions.

A simple style…

• Compilation format blending various documentary footage to create a cohesive narrative.
• Each film serves as a standalone piece, focusing on different aspects of the war.
• Goal: inform and inspire soldiers about the war’s significance.

…serving a strong message

• The world divided into two pure spheres: the free world and the slave world.
• China as the site of contestation between the two, and the first step for the slave world of Japan to take over the free world.
• Japan: “closely disciplined and conformist people” vs. “independent and individualistic” Chinese.
• Missing: The Communists, the collaboration regime, and domestic turmoils and divisions among Chinese.

Q2: Is it true that Japan has not formally apologized to the countries of Asia that suffered during the previous war involving Japan?

The feelings of deep remorse and heartfelt apology for the actions during the war have been upheld consistently by the post-war Cabinets. […] On the other hand, we must not let the future generations, who have nothing to do with that war, be predestined to apologize. This is the responsibility of the current generation that is alive at this moment.

Q6: What is the view of the Government of Japan on the incident known as the “Nanjing Incident”?

The Government of Japan believes that it cannot be denied that following the entrance of the Japanese Army into Nanjing in 1937, the killing of noncombatants, looting and other acts occurred. However, there are numerous theories as to the actual number of victims, and the Government of Japan believes it is difficult to determine which the correct number is.

Announcement by Foreign Ministers of Japan and the Republic of Korea at the Joint Press Occasion December 28, 2015

The issue of comfort women, with an involvement of the Japanese military authorities at that time, was a grave affront to the honor and dignity of large numbers of women, and the Government of Japan is painfully aware of responsibilities from this perspective. […] While stating the above, the Government of Japan confirms that this issue is resolved finally and irreversibly with this announcement, on the premise that the Government will steadily implement the measures specified in (2) above. In addition, together with the Government of the ROK, the Government of Japan will refrain from accusing or criticizing each other regarding this issue in the international community, including at the United Nations.