Creel Commission

The Creel Commission, also known as the Committee on Public Information, was established under President Woodrow Wilson as an independent agency by Executive order 2594, April 13, 1917. Consisted of George Creel (Chairman) and Secretaries of State (Robert Lansing), War (Lindley M. Garrison), and the Navy (Josephus Daniels) as ex officio members.

Related Topics:
Woodrow Wilson - Independent agency - Executive order - April 13 - George Creel - State - Robert Lansing - War - Lindley M. Garrison - Navy - Josephus Daniels

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Its purpose was to influence American public opinion toward supporting U.S. intervention in World War I. Among those who participated in it were Wilson adviser Walter Lippmann and Edward Bernays, the latter of whom had remarked that "the essence of democratic society" was the "engineering of consent", by which propaganda was the necessary method for democracies to promote and garner support for policy. Many have commented that the Commission laid the groundwork for the public relations (PR) industry.

Related Topics:
World War I - Walter Lippmann - Edward Bernays

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Committee work curtailed after July 1, 1918. Domestic activities discontinued after the Armistice was signed, November 11, 1918. Foreign operations discontinued, June 30, 1919. Abolished by Executive order 3154, August 21, 1919.

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