880 Chapter 30

PropagandaYou have read how a totalitarian government can use propaganda tosupport its goals. These pages show three examples of visual propagandafrom the Soviet Union—low-cost posters, traditional painting, and altered photographs.

Posters were mass produced and placed in very visible areas. Theywere constant reminders of Communist policy and guides for properthought. Artists were required to paint scenes that supported and glorifiedthe Communist Party. Even photographs were altered if they containedindividuals who had fallen out of favor with the party leadership.

Woman Worker Poster ▲A translation of this poster says,“What the October Revolution hasgiven to working and peasantwomen.” The woman is pointing tobuildings such as a library, a worker’sclub, and a school for adults.

Factory Poster“Help build the giganticfactories.” This poster advertisesa state loan for the building oflarge factories. Developing heavyindustry was an important goalin the early days of the SovietUnion.

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▼ PaintingIn this painting the central figure,Communist leader Joseph Stalin,is greeted enthusiastically. Theexpressions of the diverse andhappy crowd imply not only thatStalin has broad support, butthat he is worshiped as well.

RESEARCH LINKS For more onpropaganda, go to classzone.com

▼ Altered PhotographsStalin attempted to enhance his legacy and erase hisrivals from history by extensively altering photographsas this series shows.

The original photograph was taken in 1926 and showed,from left to right, Nikolai Antipov, Stalin, Sergei Kirov, and Nikolai Shvernik.

This altered image appeared in a 1949 biography ofStalin. Why Shvernik was removed is unclear—he washead of the Central Committee of the Communist Partyuntil Stalin’s death in 1954. Antipov, however, wasarrested during Stalin’s purge and executed in 1941.

This heroic oil painting by Isaak Brodsky is based on theoriginal photograph, but only Stalin is left. Kirov wasassassinated in 1934 by a student, but the officialinvestigation report has never been released. Stalin didfear Kirov’s popularity and considered him a threat tohis leadership.

881

1. Forming and Supporting OpinionsOf the examples on this page, whichdo you think would have been mosteffective as propaganda? Why?

See Skillbuilder Handbook, page R20.

2. Comparing and Contrasting Whatare the similarities and differencesbetween propaganda and modernadvertising campaigns? Support youranswer with examples.

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