Anna Maria Forssberg received her doctorate in Swedish war propaganda during the 17th century.

In her research, she has divided the problems that propaganda is used to solve into four steps:

# 1 Explain why it's war

One can at first deny that it is even a war.

When Sweden sent soldiers to Germany in 1630, Gustav II Adolf described it as a kind of police operation, Anna Maria Forssberg explains.

It is often claimed that the other party needs to be present.

During the Thirty Years' War, it was said that the imperial power was arming and wanted to attack Sweden.

- In fact, the German emperor had no plans to attack Sweden.

# 2 Mobilize the people

If people are to stand up with money and crew, endure various hardships, then a higher purpose is required.

This was used in parallel with threats: if we do not do this now, the enemy will come here and it will get worse.

# 3 Maintain war morale

Wars often continue for quite a long time, then it is important that the people do not lose their appetite, Anna Maria Forssberg explains.

Then selective information is used.

- People talk about victories, but not so much about adversity.

# 4 Explain peace

Peace then often becomes a compromise, which does not make everyone happy.

- Then they only said that it was due to God, that they got peace thanks to God, says Anna Maria Forssberg.

In addition, it was often portrayed that the king was constantly working for peace.

- But that was not true at all.

In the clip you see how this is applied today in the war in Ukraine.