War and Propaganda: An Evaluation on the 1683 Vienna Siege

Abstract

Propaganda is a method designed to persuade people to think and act in the desired way. Its history dates back to when people first started communicating with each other. In this direction, propaganda has become a frequently used method that serves to personal interests. Throughout history, people have benefited from propaganda activities in various ways. Propaganda activities, especially used effectively in times of war, have served an important role in persuading, encouraging and supporting to the war in this process. In this context, the propaganda activities carried out from the beginning of a war to its end reveal that this concept and war are inextricably linked. This study focuses on the propaganda activities in the 1683 Vienna Siege, which emerged in the last quarter of the XVIIth century and was one of the most important political events in Turkish and European history. This war, which shaped the future of both the Ottoman Empire and the Habsburg Empire, as well as other Western states, has been discussed many times in terms of political, social and economic terms. However, the propaganda activities carried out from the beginning to the end of the war have not been discussed much. From this point of view, the study reveals the propaganda methods used by both sides in the process from the decision-making to war until its conclusion. In the study, it is seen that the Grand Vizier Kara Mustafa Pasha of Merzifon engaged in propaganda activities such as convincing the state officials to war, keeping the morale of the army high and breaking the spirituality of the enemy with various propaganda activities. In response to his propaganda activities, the Habsburg government applied to various propaganda activities in order to involve the Christian states in the war on its side and to increase the level of public interest and participation in the defense of the city. © 2020 Turkish Historical Society. All rights reserved.