History of Propaganda Part 1

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_propaganda

Primitive forms of propaganda have been a human activity as far back as reliable recorded evidence exists. The writings of Romans such as Livy are considered masterpieces of pro-Roman propaganda. The most well-known originator of Roman historiography was Quintus Fabius Pictor. His style of writing history defending the Roman state actions and using propaganda heavily eventually became a defining characteristic of Roman historiography.

Propaganda during the Reformation, helped by the spread of the printing press throughout Europe, caused new ideas and thoughts to be made available to the public in ways that had never been seen before the 16th century. These centres became the primary producers of both Reformation works by the Protestant Reformers and anti-Reformation works put forth by the Roman Catholics. In the French Revolution and the Napoleonic wars both sides made heavy use of propaganda during military campaigns.

Propaganda is a modern phenomenon that emerged from the creation of literate and politically active societies informed by a mass media, where governments increasingly saw the necessity for swaying public opinion in favour of its policies.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, propaganda techniques became more refined and effective due to the growth of new communication technologies and the development of modern advertising and public relations.