Vestnik of Orenburg State Pedagogical University. Electronic Scientific Journal. 2020. № 3 (35). P. 146—159
07.00.00 HISTORICAL SCIENCES AND ARCHEOLOGY
UDC 94(47)“1914”
Pimenov Oleg Vladimirovich, Postgraduate student
Volgograd State University
IMAGE OF WILHELM II IN RUSSIAN NEWSPAPERS DURING THE 1914 MILITARY CAMPAIGN
Abstract
The article analyzes the formation of the image of Wilhelm II in Russian newspapers in August — December of 1914. The source base is represented by the newspapers «Birzhevye vedomosti», «Vestnik voyny», «Donetskaya zhizn’», “Mariupol’skaya zhizn’», «Moskovskaya kopeyka», «Novoye vremya», «Permskaya zemskaya nedelya», «Petrogradskiy listok», «Pridneprovskiy kray», «Ranneye utro», «Rech’», «Russkoye slovo», «Sel’skiy vestnik». The author concludes that the characteristics of the ruler were often associated with the political image of the entire state. In this regard, the description of the German emperor largely coincided with the depiction of German troops and Germans in the Russian press during the military campaign of 1914. The image of the Kaiser in the press was characterized negatively: insanity, cruelty, cynicism, stupidity. A similar image demonstrated the danger of Germany for Russia. At the same time, some features showed the emperor’s weakness, which could instill confidence in victory in Russian society. Materials and methods of presenting information were aimed at reaching as much of the society as possible. In this regard, Russian newspapers played an important role in shaping public opinion during the World War I.
Key words
Wilhelm II, newspapers, propaganda, information war, World War I, military campaign of 1914, image of the enemy.
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Bibliography link to this article:
Pimenov O. V. Image of Wilhelm II in Russian newspapers during the 1914 military campaign. Vestnik of Orenburg State Pedagogical University. Electronic Scientific Journal, 2020, no. 3 (35), pp. 146—159. DOI: https://doi.org/10.32516/2303-9922.2020.35.11.