Propaganda, protest and politics

Music has historically been used as a key part of official state propaganda. South Africa adopted a new national anthem to mark the country’s new political order under the presidency of Nelson Mandela. Less official, but nevertheless serving the state, is Thomas Arne’s patriotic song ‘Rule, Britannia’, featured in the masque King Alfred, celebrating the accession of George II in 1740. In 1745, and similarly working as unofficial propaganda, the song ‘God Save the King’ was composed. The patriotic lyrics put an existing melody to use as anti-Jacobite state propaganda. The 1740s had been a time of war, and at such times the creation of music for propaganda purposes has often intensified. During World War II a series of British films called upon composers to support the national cause. Music without explicit political content, but which has been demonised by the establishment and is able to incite feelings of rage and hatred.