Russian Propagandas

Introducion

Propaganda is the publication of distorted information to promote a cause, idea, or movement. In simple words, it’s a source of information that tries to convince you to believe in certain facts and tell you what to think. Propagandas often present misleading information that are perspectivlely biased and subjected. Biased information is based on one subject’s point of view and preference, not everybody’s. As a result, they are unfair and limiting in freedom of speech. Propagandas are used in the media, organizations, government, and even schools. They are effective methods to persuade the thoughts of people. During the reign of the communist leaders in Russia, propagandas were widely used to ensure control over the population. By studying the propagandas from the Soviet era, we could learn about their ideas, morals, and mistakes. In this posting, I have chosen six propaganda posters from the Russian Revolutions to discuss and analyze. Many Thanks.

Poster # 1

“Lenin. October. Power to soviets. Peace to the nations. Land to peasants. Factories to workers.” This poster presents an illustration of Vladimr Ilyich Lenin standing up in a dignified, revolutionary posture. The message is based on his simple but effective slogan of the revolution, “Peace, Land, Bread.” The posted is basically speaking that through a communist revolution, Russia would be out of the war, lands would be distributed to the peasants, and there would be enough food for everyone. In the end, by achieving “Peace, Land, Bread”, there would no more sufferings for the people. The red colored sickle and hammer in the background represents the Soviets and communism in general. The colour white symbolizes peace and hope. The poster is especially effective with the large, eye-catching text. The text stands out in red and is very simple. Lenin majestic posture with his hand pointing up is also very inspirational.

http://posters.nce.buttobi.net/big/0406.jpg

Poster # 2

“Let us strengthen the class solidarity and cooperation of all communists of all countries in the struggle for peace and socialism.” This poster presents a man waving a flag with the faces of the fundamental figures of communism. The three faces on the flag belong to Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels, and Lenin. The message of the poster is to promote communism and the socialistic society it creates. The poster wants the people in all communist countries to work together for peace and socialism. It wants everybody to fall into the same class by working equally and sharing equal wealth. The message is conveyed through the banner held by the majority (working class), located at the bottom of the poster, and by the big man waving the flag. The banners say: peace, work, socialism, disbarment, for social progress, and no racism. The man, by waving the red flag with the faces of communist thinkers, is glorifying the idea of a communal, socialistic society. The poster is effective because of the influencing faces on the flag, especially Karl Marx. In addition, the positive text on the banners also grabs people attention.
http://posters.nce.buttobi.net/219.htm

Poster # 3

“Our era calls- forward! The five year plan calls-forward!” The message of this poster is that it’s time for the Soviet Union to rise and become a world major industrial power. It is basically encouraging the people of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics to work efficiently in order to increase agricultural and industrial production. The poster also tries to get the people to think that it is their duty to labor accordingly in order to succeed the five-year plans. The message is conveyed by the robust man wearing a soviet working suit and holding the red flag. The muscular figure of the man symbolizes the need of strong workers. The fact that he is holding a red flag also indicates that everybody should work for the benefits of the whole nation. The poster is effective because of the strong, proud appearance of the man and the soviet symbol on his suit. He seems to express loyalty, gratitude, and pride towards his nation which is very persuasive. In addition, the color of the poster is also very bright and although the text is simple, it’s actually quite meaningful.
http://posters.nce.buttobi.net/big/0487.jpg

Poster # 4

This poster illustrates Joseph Stalin, leader of the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics. The message of the poster is that Stalin is an all-powerful, all-knowing, and heavenly leader. The poster is trying to make the people believe that Stalin is a compassionate, caring, and respected ruler. Basically, the poster tries to brainwash the people that he’s a warm-hearted ruler rather than an evil dictator. In the poster, young beautiful girls are portrayed looking up admiring at a picture of Stalin with flowers in their hands. The flower symbolizes fondness and love. The poster show that the girls have respect for him; that they look up to him as a wise leader. The poster is effective due the big white text which was an especially an eye-catching feature of the poster. The white stands out from the red background. In addition, the poster is even more persuasive by the way the young girls look up at Stalin’s picture admiringly and appreciatively.
http://www.davidosler.com/stalin%20with%20kids.jpg

Poster # 5

“We will give our knowledge, experience and mastery to the (communist) Party and to the Motherland.” The message of this poster is that the workers of the USSR are dutiful and committed in working hard for the nation. The poster is trying to persuade the people to work hard and perform their tasks for the benefits of the state. The message is conveyed by the proud figure who is holding a ruler over his heart while his other hand rests on a blueprint. The fact that the ruler is positioned over his heart symbolizes the devotion towards his work. His other hand placed on the blueprint indicates his responsibilities in accomplishing his job. His confident posture also makes him look like a determined, honoured worker. In addition, the text and his apron are red, which symbolizes the Soviet Union. The poster is effective because the delighted man in the poster is a member of the working class and so other workers would follow his example, becoming a proud worker like him. The red text is also very noticeable and understandable.
http://posters.nce.buttobi.net/big/0317.jpg

Poster # 6

" We, the October's children of our homeland, are faithful to the wise legacy of Lenin” The poster is demonstrating that the younger generation (the children) of the USSR have high respect for Lenin himself and the revolution he successfully leaded which changed Russia into a communist state. In general, the poster is trying to convince the people to think that the communist revolution that Lenin leaded was beneficial; that he had made a positive change for the country to better equipped the younger generation. The poster also wants the people to praise and look up to Lenin for transforming Russia into the first communist country. The reddish star in the background symbolizes communism. The fact that young girl is holding up proudly a group of flowers also indicates that she is loyal to Lenin and communism. The poster is particularly effective with the use of only children images. In the background, there is a cute picture of baby Lenin in the star. This attracts attention and sets a peaceful, positive attitude. Also, the big, red star itself also stands out. http://posters.nce.buttobi.net/big/0387.jpg

Conclusion

Propagandas were extensively used before and after the Russian Revolutions. It also contributed and played a major role in the rise of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. During the Soviet reign, propagandas were used to brainwash the people and convince them to support the communist government. The Russian people were basically told to believe rather than to think. In schools, children were taught that communism was the best system of governing a nation. In addition, propagandas were also enforced into the typical lives of Russian adults. Newspapers, radio shows, films, and artworks were filled with biased information that supports the communist government. Without propagandas, the Russian Revolutions might have turned out differently and there might not even be a Soviet Union.