It has been said that, “Truth is the first casualty of war.” What does

It has been said that, “Truth is the first casualty of war.” What does this mean? Illustrate how this is reflected in the shaping of American public opinion during World War I.

What will be an ideal response?

ANSWER
The comment means that during war, the mobilization of the public’s mind in support of the war effort tends to promote exaggerated use of language and resort to stereotypes. In World War I, official agencies and popular culture painted a black and white, good versus evil portrait of the opposing sides in the war. This oversimplification of the struggle and the wartime effort to sustain it is revealed in the Espionage and Sedition acts, Hollywood movies, and expectations of self-censorship of the press.