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Propaganda is a common political tool in the four nations and is used to influence public opinion on a subject, cause, or conflict. It was commonly used by the Fire Nation during the Hundred Year War and later by the Equalists during the Anti-Bending Revolution.
Earth Kingdom[]
Era of Roku[]
Earth King Jialun, ruler of the Earth Kingdom by the 50s BG, made extensive use of propaganda. He deliberately portrayed himself as incompetent to deflect any blame for his cunning actions, thereby protecting his power. At the same time, he fostered xenophobic views toward other nations as well as internally encouraged conflicts between the upper and lower classes; his propaganda thus always gave his subjects something else to hate than his own government. Using this cover, Jialun gradually dismantled the Earth Kingdom's constitution and gathered more influence.[1]
Conspiracy of Ba Sing Se[]
- Main article: Conspiracy of Ba Sing Se
During the Hundred Year War, the leader of the Dai Li, Long Feng, grew his influence upon the Earth Kingdom by manipulating Earth King Kuei. He hid the existence of the war in Ba Sing Se using propaganda. A group of brainwashed women all known as Joo Dee were guides to important guests of the city, ensuring them that "there was no war in Ba Sing Se", as well as using the Dai Li to silence people who claimed otherwise.[2][3] After Long Feng was arrested for his conspiracy and lies, these polices were mostly put to rest.[4][5]
Earth Empire[]
Earth Empire propaganda heavily focused on Kuvira who was portrayed as the "Great Uniter" and ideal leader.
In course of the anarchy in the Earth Kingdom, Kuvira and her followers gradually developed a cult of personality culminating in the formation of the Earth Empire, a "fascist dictatorship" which made extensive use of propaganda.[6][7]
Kuvira was portrayed as the "Great Uniter" who brought order and prosperity to the disunited Earth Kingdom, leading her people into a new age of greatness.[8] Accordingly, her propaganda imagery centered on her, using her likeness,[9] and had an "idealistic, optimistic sheen".[7] Followers of Kuvira also distributed "Great Uniter" propaganda, including as leaflets, in the United Republic of Nations.[10]
After the collapse of Kuvira's regime, her former subordinate Guan tried to restore the Earth Empire during the Gaoling Crisis. Though Guan mainly relied on brute force and brainwashing to achieve his goal, his followers also spread propaganda such as leaflets with photos of the commander in heroic poses. His propaganda imagery generally appeared to consist of crude imitations of Kuvira's style.[11][12]
Fire Nation[]
Eras of Kyoshi and Roku[]
In Kyoshi's early lifetime, a succession conflict known as Camellia-Peony War was largely waged by means of deception and propaganda. For instance, Chaejin and his supporters tried to rally public opinion against Fire Lord Zoryu by spreading inflammatory messages, sometimes subtly such as by manipulating a Royal Gallery portrait, sometimes openly in highly visible areas.[13][14][15] Zoryu countered by destroying Chaejin's reputation through falsified evidence of a coup plan as well as creating historical accounts supporting his view of the conflict.[16][17]
Sozin later made extensive use of propaganda, starting in his youth to gain power as a prince. For instance, he claimed to have saved Avatar Roku's life by killing Lambak Clan chief Ulo, even though it had happened the other way around.[18] As Fire Lord, Sozin created even more propaganda, aimed at strengthening its rule and breaking the growing influence of Air Nomads on the Fire Nation's culture.[19][20]
Hundred Year War[]
- "I know all about the dark abilities you airbenders had! How you could suck a man's breath out of his body! How you had an army of winged people, ready to attack anyone who threatened you! [...] Why would the Fire Nation write untrue things on a poster? They cost a fortune to print."
- ―An overconfident Fire Nation soldier about his belief in anti-Air Nomad propaganda.[21]
Fire Nation propaganda during the Hundred Year War glorified the Fire Lords, for instance with giant statues.
The Fire Nation made extensive use of propaganda during the Hundred Year War. The Fire Nation's education system falsely claimed that the Air Nomads had armies even though they were pacifists.[22] Fire Nation propaganda also justified the Air Nomad Genocide by alleging that the Air Nomads had planned a world conquest.[23] Furthermore, schools instilled the belief that the Fire Nation spread their "greatness" throughout the world and shared prosperity instead of waging an imperialistic war of conquest.[22][24]
The Fire Nation government also produced other forms of propaganda, such as posters with militaristic and racist messages,[21] falsified history books,[25] and statues which glorified the nation's leadership.[26][27]
Theater, a popular art form in the Fire Nation, was also used to push propaganda. Notable examples included Azulon's Legacy, a play which justified Fire Lord Ozai's rule,[28] and The Boy in the Iceberg which retold Team Avatar's adventures until ending with the complete victory of Ozai and the Fire Nation.[29]
United Republic of Nations[]
Anti-Bending Revolution[]
- Main article: Anti-Bending Revolution
Equalist leader Amon at an rally, with a large propaganda banner behind him.
During the Anti-Bending Revolution, Equalists used many forms of propaganda to rally nonbenders to join their cause. Banners and posters of Amon were put up across the city and several rallies were held so he could spread his word. On top of this, many stands were set up across the parks of Republic City.
The propaganda imagery of the Equalists focused heavily on Amon, using his mask as a central motif.[30][31] In their banners, posters, and placards, the Equalists deliberately avoided too much use of a single color, as monochrome images were traditionally associated with the bending arts.[31] In general, Equalist propaganda imagery had "the brutal intensity of revolution".[7]
Nuktuk[]
- Main article: The Adventures of Nuktuk: Hero of the South
Nuktuk movers were propaganda pieces as well as popular entertainment.
In 171 AG, Varrick Global Industries produced the first public mover series named The Adventures of Nuktuk: Hero of the South. This was a propaganda film series made to sway the United Republic of Nations's opinion in favor of helping the Southern Water Tribe during the Water Tribe Civil War. It was made with footage of the Northern Water Tribe's occupation of the South's cut with shots of the fictional hero "Nuktuk" (played by Bolin) fighting the invasion. Although most of the cast was fictional, the one exception was the main villain of the series, Unalaq, who was portrayed as the villain of the story.
Trivia[]
- The art and posters Equalists use in rallies are reminiscent of the propaganda used by Communist China.
- Nuktuk is very reminiscent of characters made from World War II, such as Captain America.
- In commentary for Katara and the Pirate's Silver, Faith Erin Hicks described the Fire Nation's narrative about the Air Nomads' alleged intention of world conquest as "classic propaganda nonsense".[23]