Cold War Propaganda Learning Intention: We will be able to describe the different methods used for propaganda during the Cold War
Dec 24, 2015
Cold War Propaganda
Learning Intention:We will be able to describe the different methods used for propaganda during the Cold War
IntroductionLI: We will be able to describe the different methods used for propaganda during the Cold War
• Used by USA & USSR throughout the Cold War
• Reached its heights in the 1950s and 1960s
• USA Propaganda– Demonise Communism– Extol virtues of capitalism and
democracy
• Pro-American values were promoted in film, television, music, literature and art.
• Done openly and often with little subtlety
Early Propaganda FilmsLI: We will be able to describe the different methods used for propaganda during the Cold War
Meet King Joe (1949)A Cold War cartoon aimed at American workers with the objective of convincing them of their good fortune.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbw8DFwoqJ0
Questions:1. Who is King of the workers?2. Why is he King of the workers?3. What makes Joe the ‘luckiest guy in the world’?4. How much more does an American railroad worker make than a
coolie?5. What does the cartoon stress is important for the success of the
worker?6. What is the purpose of a video clip such as this one? How does it
contribute to peoples ideas about Communism
Early Propaganda FilmsLI: We will be able to describe the different methods used for propaganda during the Cold War
• 1948 – Make Mine Freedom– Advantages and freedoms of capitalism
• 1949 – Meet King Joe– Told American workers to be content with their lot, as they had it
better than workers anywhere else in the world.
Make Mine Freedom - 1948 Meet King Joe - 1949
Cold-War PropagandaLI: We will be able to describe the different methods used for propaganda during the Cold War
• Over time themes and methods in pro-democracy propaganda became more subtle
• Less government production• Left to film and television studios to incorporate their ideas• Benefits that were commonly promoted:
– Nuclear family– School– Community– Obedience– Loyalty
• Communism condemned as ideology and social system• Portrayal of America under heel of communist dictatorship
common. Two examples– Red Nightmare (1962)– The Godless Communism
Red Nightmare (1962)LI: We will be able to describe the different methods used for propaganda during the Cold War
• First made in 1950s– Instructional video for
armed forces– Later released on TV
• Makes claim that entire US cities had been reconstructed in Soviet Territories– Training spies– Bring down American
government and society
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgR4apcz_Ew
The Godless Communism
LI: We will be able to describe the different methods used for propaganda during the Cold War
• Comic book (1961)• American family is taken
over by the communists virtually overnight
• Renamed ‘United Soviet States of America’
• Find all of the rights and freedoms have been abolished.
• Father relocated to a distant timber mill
• Mother to an urban factors• Children to state-run schools
and nurseries
MoviesLI: We will be able to describe the different methods used for propaganda during the Cold War
Released in 1949. About Soviet espionage
Released in 1952. John Wayne is a HUAC investigator who travels to Hawaii to stamp out Communist activity there
The Blob (1958) – science-fiction – shadowy forces hell-bent on taking control – metaphor for perceptions of communism
TelevisionLI: We will be able to describe the different methods used for propaganda during the Cold War
Leave it to Beaver – emphasised importance of
education, work, respect for families
Cold War Espionage
Children’s Cartoons – Villains have communist agendas
LiteratureLI: We will be able to describe the different methods used for propaganda during the Cold War
Envisioned a world kept divided and obedient with fears of
‘perpetual war’
Commissioned by the CIA – allegorical account of the
Russian Revolution
EducationLI: We will be able to describe the different methods used for propaganda during the Cold War
• In both USA and USSR education received big funding boosts– In particular Maths and Science– History and English steeped in
patriotism and political values
• Informative videos– How to Spot a Communist– Duck and Cover