12 min read•june 18, 2024
Eric Beckman
Evan Liddle
Urdu text: “This soldier is defending India. He is protecting his home and family. The best way to help your family is to join the army”
Practice Submission 1
1. Propaganda is a specific development but is too narrow to qualify as a “historical process.” The larger process might be Total War or Militarization of Society. 2. This answer is well structured, the before and the after to demonstrate change. I would say you could strengthen this answer by pointing out the context of World War I OR you could provide evidence of the previous view of Indians, perhaps mention the White Man’s Burden? Specific evidence makes an answer stronger. 3. Mostly the same as above, but the answer would, again, be stronger with a specific reference like the target of most American Propaganda (Japan) or specific American Actions like the Atlantic Charter. Overall keep in mind that each answer should have one specific piece of evidence. Keep practicing!
Practice Submission 2
1. The first part is meant to bring a broad trend, something beyond the specific image. You are absolutely correct about the intent of the image, and you could tie that to a bigger them like mobilizing resources in empires during World War One or total war. The idea is that your answer would apply to many situations. 2. The important context for this question is that India was a British colony when the poster was made, but that people in British India challenged that more directly and more frequently after the War. 3. You’re correct about Russian propaganda, although “western super powers” is a little vague. Do you mean Germany and the Central Powers during World War One and/or Two? Or, you might specify the capitalist West, including the US, during the Cold War.
Practice Submission 3
1. This question is looking for a broader theme, something from beyond the document. You’re right about the use of colonial troops, so a broader theme would be colonialism or British imperialism. You want to show the reader that you know something beyond the document. Or, instead of propaganda, you could extend out to Total War or mass mobilization in global conflicts. Either way something bigger than what is directly in the source. 2. You’re right about independence. This would be stronger with specific evidence, such as Indian National Congress or Gandhi. Again, specifics establish that you understand something beyond the prompt. 3. This is good, although it would be a bit stronger to indicate when Germany did this. It seems that you mean also during World War One, which is true.
Practice Submission 4
1. Colonialism is right, and this would be stronger if described British colonialism in India a little bit. Unless the prompt directly asks you to describe or explain the source material, most of your answer should be about something beyond the image, such as British colonialism. 2. You have identified a key change from after the poster, but an “explain” prompt will usually require a second and maybe a third sentence. How and/or why did this revolution happen? 3. Excellent example with an explanation. Would be even stronger if you specified world War One for the “I Want You”.
Practice Submission 5
1. The phrase “legitimize rule” is useful here. Propaganda is a technique, but legitimizing rule is a historical process. This would score a point. 2. This would be stronger with a piece of specific evidence about Indian independence. You are correct about the continuity, but that is not the question. 3. Quality answer! Moves beyond just “Hitler” to discuss two propaganda techniques and how they worked. This would also score a point.
Practice Submission 6
1. The last three sentences are enough to earn the point. The Great War was a historical process and you describe how the image fits into mobilization for total war. 2. This is also a strong response. I like the explanation of the connection between WWI and independence. This would earn a point. 3. Strong again! Would be better with an example, although “militarism” and Germany might be specific enough.
Practice Submission 7
1. You are correct that this is propaganda, and your description of its purpose and technique is on target. Propaganda is too narrow to be a historical process, though. This should be connected to a larger development, perhaps mobilization or total war, related to World War One. 2. You have identified an important change. This would be stronger with explanation of how World War One might have caused some Indians to favor independence from Britain. An explanation requires one more thought, a connection between what was and what changed. 3. Spain did not fight directly in either World War, so I don’t think this is relevant.
Practice Submission 8
1. Colonialism and an excellent answer as that is a broad historical process. 2. Indian independence is also an excellent answer, but in your answer could be stronger by pointing out that the struggle was non-violent and that it was because the British did not honor their promise for home rule. 3. Excellent answer.
Practice Submission 9
1. I think that you would earn a point for this response. “Total war” was a historical process, and troop recruitment was part of it. Well done! 2. The Indian Rebellion (aka Sepoy Mutiny or Rebellion) happened before World War One. So, that would be part of the context, but was not a change afterwards. 3. Using “mobilize” here is on target and effective. It would be stronger if you specified which wars. Japan did not mobilize for total war in the First World War, but did in the Second. Also, I don’t think that Britain promised Indian enlistees independence, although they did hint at more rights after the war.
Practice Submission 10
1. Colonialism is an appropriate response here, but your description should explain the aspects of colonialism evident in the image. 2. This is very close. You are correct that the movement for independence was an important change after the poster was produced. This would be stronger if you included how the INC pushed for independence AFTER the Great War. 3. Right on! A full point for this.
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