Name: Faith Kazira
Course: Public Relations
Date: 20th October 2020
Early beginnings
Public relations date its origin to many years ago. It is related to old human communication itself. In many ancient civilizations, people were persuaded to accept the government’s authority and religion through techniques like speeches, arts, literature, interpersonal communication, and many others. These endeavors were not termed public relations, but their purpose and efforts were the same as today’s modern practice.
Herodotus writing, which was about personal wars, noted Greeks carved messages on stones near watering holes to demoralize the Leonian fleet. Alexander the great publicized his battle victories by sending glowing reports back to the Macedonian court. In India, Emperor Aseka communicated with his subjects through messages on massive stones pillars erected at significant crossroads.
Julius Caesar was the first politician to the public a book commentary that he used to further his ambitions to become emperor of the Roman empire. He organized elaborate parades whenever he returned from a successful battle to burnish his image as an outstanding commander and leader. After Caesar became the consul of Roman, he had public proceedings posted on walls throughout the city. Acta during or daily doings became the world-first newspapers. St Paul, the new testament author, qualifies for the public relations hall of fame. According to James Grunig and Todd Hunt, authors of managing public relations. Apostles Paul and Peter used letters, speeches to gain followers and establish new churches.
The middle ages
Roman Catholic was the first practitioner of public relations throughout the middle ages. Pope urban 11 used symbolism, staged events, and propaganda to persuade thousands of followers to join the crusades. Centuries letter, the church was the first to use the word propaganda. In Venice, bankers in the 15th and 16th centuries practiced the fine art of investor relations. They were probably the first long with local catholic bishops to adopt corporate philanthropy by sponsoring such artists as Michelangelo Gutenberg developed the printing press during the Middle Ages.
Colonial America
Immigrants, primarily those from England first settled the united states. Various land companies with a license from the crown actively promoted colonization to generate revenues from what colonies manufactured and grow. As early as 1584, sir Walter Raleigh sent back glowing accounts to England of a swamp-filled Roanoke island.
Virginia company distributed flyers and bronchus through Europe to anyone willing to migrate. After this publicity and public relations techniques were used to promote various institutions, colleges founded between 1745 and 1775also raised funds through special events, lottery, and cultivating wealthy donors.
After independence, Alexander Hamilton, John Jerry, and James Madison wrote federalist papers to rally public support for the ratification of the US constitution; the effort laid the foundation for distributing syndicated opinion via mass media, a concept still being used today as public relations.