Committee on Public Information (1917)

About

The Committee on Public Information (CPI), also known as the Creel Committee, was established in April 1917 by President Woodrow Wilson through Executive Order 2594. It was created to mobilize public opinion in support of the U.S. involvement in World War I. The CPI used various forms of mass communication, including newspapers, posters, radio, and movies, to promote the war effort. It recruited over 75,000 volunteers, known as the "Four Minute Men," who delivered short speeches at social events to encourage support for the war. The CPI targeted diverse groups such as laborers, women, industrialists, farmers, and immigrants. It published more than 100 titles on civic and educational topics, and created vivid posters to demonize the German military. Although the CPI claimed its efforts were educational, its activities have been criticized for suppressing dissent and blurring the line between political goals and national interests. The CPI's operations ceased in June 1919, but its impact on public opinion during World War I remains significant.