Framing the foe: propaganda and enemy imagery in the Austro-Hungarian war effort

Abstract

This study examines the Austro-Hungarian Empire's strategic use of propaganda during World War I, specifically focusing on how the portrayal of the enemy was carefully designed to keep up morale, justify the sacrifices made, and unite soldiers and civilians. Based on
archival research conducted at the Vienna Stadtarchive and Kriegsarchive, this paper explores how propaganda, censorship, and cultural manipulation were systematically employed to control public opinion. The research uses a qualitative analysis of various media. It highlights how the deliberate dehumanization of the enemy affected social and political dynamics. The research methodology centers on primary sources, combining archival investigation with comparative analysis of propaganda techniques across different media formats to examine wartime propaganda’s enduring effects on human and international relations. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the propaganda mechanisms, revealing its lasting influence on collective memory and global perceptions following the war.