Propaganda, simply defined as information which is spread purposefully in an attempt to support a cause, idea, or person and to undermine/discredit someone or something. Propaganda sometimes make direct statements which reveal, criticize, and even mock flaws that exist within an nation's society or organization. The ideas or main message in propaganda are often presented and conveyed through the use of artistic images, inspiring phrases, and quotes/statements made by famous and influential figures. Propaganda is used by the government, media, advertisement corporations, and even schools in order to spread beliefs to individuals belonging to virtually every age group. Unfortunately, in most cases propaganda is biased or seen completely through either one person or group's perspective. Therefore, it is easy to assume that a majority of issued propaganda contains lies as well as truth which can sometimes be difficult to distinguish and differentiate. A good example of propanda during the time of the communist party's control would be a series of posters featuring illustrations of Lenin portrayed as a monumental "father" like figure which strengthened the people's trust in him. Also, certain forms of propaganda would convince the people of Russia that the United States and ideas of capitalism were evil and therefore a direct threat to communism and therefore their very way of life. The following are six examples of propaganda posters used by the Soviet Union to spread their influence over Russian society. For each, I have evaluated upon the message and analyzed the method used and effectiveness of the message's spread. So, let's begin.
1.
As you can see, this poster is depicting a detailed hand-drawn sketch of an industrial worker . Along with the image is a Russian text which tranlates to "We will give our knowledge, experience, and mastery to the communist party and to the motherland" in English. Basically, this poster is mean't to serve as a representation of the Russian "common man". It was obvious that the Communist party had produced this poster specifically to target the men of the general population, specifically the industrial workers and farmers. Its purpose seems to be to promote pride within the working force of Russian industry and agriculture. The image of the big strong Russian man and text was mostly likely mean't to give people the idea or impression that their "knowledge, skills, experience, and mastery" are directly contributing to the development/advancement of their country. The masculine/powerful man would particularly appeal to the workers and perhaps inspire them to transform themselves and become him. All of this in turn could result in either the increase in working efficiency, productivity, and output or employment in various areas of the country's economy.
2.
Portrayed on this poster, is a plain painting of what appears to be a young teenage student in a school uniform (top) and the exact same person except he is wearing a red ascot and cap instead (bottom). Again, a sentence in Russian is accompanied with the illustration which interprets to "I want to live like Lenin, grow up to become a communist and to bring new fame for the country!" in English. This propaganda appears to be an attempt made by the communist party to inform the population of the importance of all the children and teenagers and the significant role they carried for the future of communism. This strategy made by the party is quite similar to methods used by future regimes such as the Nazi's "Hitler Youth" program and the Cambodian Khmer Rouge which is to influence the young at an early age. Basically, all three of these organizations believed that the continuation of their cause and further function of their regime lay with the next generation, the children in other words. This message is translated sucessfully and effectively through the depiction of the student whom we see transform into a communist based upon the color of his attire (red during this period served as a reference to communism). The quote also symbolized or demonstrates the willingness of that young individual to accept the ideas of communism/Lenin whole heartedly and that he believed it was his solemn duty as a communist to ensure fortune and a better future for Russia.
3.
Accompanied by the colors of gold, yellow, and red is a illustration of two colossal hands, one holding a hammer while the other is holding a sickle surronded by golden towers of barley and wheat. Also, along with the objects is a sentence written in Ukranian which reads "Our work will ripen to become our country's strength" when translated into English. Like the first propaganda poster, the main message of this poster appears to be that the future and preservation of the country lay with Russia's industrial and agricultural workers. Most likely, its distribution occurred and use of this poster was implemented during the period which Joseph Stalin, general secretary of the communist party, had become the undisputed leader of the Soviet Union after Lenin's death based upon the images of the two hands (the hammer represented industry while the sickle represented farming and agriculture). Stalin's main goal as you should know, was to modernize the country and transform it into a world power by excelling at Russia's industry and agriculture. The purpose of this poster is mean't to promote enthusiasm and confidence amongst the country's workers through the use of the text which Stalin most likely believed would improve their performance at work. Its prescence is purposefully mean't to give workers the idea that their hard working efforts could actually change Russia for the better.
4.
In this poster, we can see a plain, black and white image of two industrial workers standing in front of what appears to be an architectural/industrial complex. Above these workers is a sentence which when when translated from Russian into English simply means "The better we work, the better we'll live". Basically, the main message which this poster is attempting to convey to the people of the country is simply explained through the use of the text which is the more effort or the greater a person's devotion/dedication is to his or her duty, the greater the rewards he or she will reap. Based upon the text, its easy to assume that this poster was introduced into Russian society during the time period when Lenin was still the leader or head of the communist party. In order to remove or modify the negative changes caused by the implementation of "War Communism", Lenin introduced the "New Economic Plan" or NEP. One of the economic policies of the NEP states that workers who demonstrate more commitment to his or her job and completes additional work will be awarded extra food and money as a reward. The use of the image of two workers and factory background suggests that this poster was created specifically or particularly target industrial workers as well as agricultural workers. Again, like the previous posters, the purpose of this poster is purely an attempt made by the party to raise work productivity and output simply by providing the workers with motivation or the incentive to work harder through offering them rewards.
5.
In this poster, we can see an ordinary person holding his right hand over his chest alongside the phrase "The plans of the communist party are my plans as well". Noticebly, the majority of the entire poster is completely covered in the color red. From my interpretation of the image and text, I believe that the message of this poster and idea which it wanted people to believe was simply that communism was a force of good. The phrase clearly indicates that the individual in this poster trusts the communist party so strongly and completely to the point where he would be willing to organize his life in such a manner that it would also correlate with the communist party's actions, decisions, and idea on how a Russian should live. In other words, this person is willing to lend his complete support because he believes that the party's actions are in the best interest of his well being and future. People who see this poster might also be compelled to do the exact same thing which is to lend their suppor and obedience towards Lenin and the communist party authority. The use of the man with his right hand over his chest suggests that he has taken something of an oath or he is swearing his allegience towards communism. Also, the excessive or overly use of the color red in this poster clearly demonstrates or symbolizes communism.
6.
As you can see almost instantly, a colorful and artistic image of a Russian soldier or guard is displayed alongside the words "The protection of the homeland is the duty of every citizen of the USSR" in Russian. The main message of this poster or the idea which it is trying to convice the people into believing appears to be that it was the duty of all Russian citizens to join the army and defend their country from any and all invaders. From the communist party's perspective, the main purpose or intention of using this poster was to increase soldier recruitments across the country which will as as result strengthen the country's army and perhaps defensive capablities. The image of the soldier embracing the flag of the Soviet Union (hammer and sickle symbol) demonstrates that individual's devotion towards the USSR's protection and preservation of communism (red color). Its prescence would most likely inspire men to become a soldier who is just as commited to his country is the one represented on the poster. Also, the use of various colors and graphics on the poster might also be an attempt to convince people that joining the army and fighting would be glorious or fullfilling.
To conclude this blog entry, I would like to state that the use of propaganda by both Lenin and Stalin played a vital role towards the development and progress of Russia as a country. The posters which were used in this entry were all inteded to brainwash people into believing in ideas which I could honestly say were beliefs which they wouldn't have believed in if the visual representations on the posters and publications weren't as inspiring and effective as they were. What this basically and simply tells me about Russia is that it was a country which was completely or deeply reliant of the people in order for it to function properly or as a whole. Its leaders relied on the use of propaganda to rally the support of the population which was needed in order place themselves in a position of great power. Based upon the history of this country and events which have occured within it, this project had taught me, as a student, that the Russian people during that time period were easily manipulated by propaganda. I believe that if the people had not believed in or were not subsceptible towards the ideas represented and conveyed through propaganda, Russia's history would have most likely been significantly altered as a result.
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