The Scrap of Paper
The infamous phrase, "Scrap of Paper" was supposedly coined by German Chancellor Theobald von Bethmann Hollweg. As it turns out, the origin of the scrap of paper quote is dubious and not confirmed. The interview between Hollweg and Goschen was heated and Goschen could not remember the exact words that Hollweg said; the phrase that became famous and a crux of pro-British propaganda was based on a paraphrased statement that was taken out of context. The parties involved could not even agree on what language the interview took place in. (Otte, 66-7) The propaganda machine, as usual, did not care about the truth of the events that it sensationalized, only that it made the Germans look more barbaric and uncivilized. "The Scrap of Paper" became one of the most prominently used arguments against Germany during the war despite the lack of confirmation of the actual events.
Propaganda which responded to this event was mainly legalistic in nature, and tended to appeal only to the upper class, who had a better understanding of diplomatic conventions than the average working man. While there was a fair amount of Anti-Germanism behind this propaganda, it was only a sign of what was to come and would prove to be child's play when compared with propaganda later in the war.
Propaganda which responded to this event was mainly legalistic in nature, and tended to appeal only to the upper class, who had a better understanding of diplomatic conventions than the average working man. While there was a fair amount of Anti-Germanism behind this propaganda, it was only a sign of what was to come and would prove to be child's play when compared with propaganda later in the war.