Soviet Posters
(1917-1941)Soviet and pre-Soviet propaganda and advertising posters. Sorted in chronological order.
1880-1899
It was a great and contradictory time... Accession of Alexander III who did not support liberal partialities of his father became a result of the tragic death of Alexander II the Deliverer at the hands of the members of the People’s Will. Russian society being tormented by contradictions of Prussian path of development of capitalism was tossing from wild chauvinism of the black hundred to extreme liberalism and revolutionary character. It was the time of “savage” capitalism with a 18-hour working day and child labour... Time of faith into the “good” tsar and hopes of progressive intelligentsia for bright future. Accession to the throne of Nikolay II would trigger a countdown of the Russian Empire’s existence. And so far everyone is arguing about the future of Russia and its historical mission.
1900-1914
Formation of imperialism in Russia is being accompanied by grandiose tragic and great events. The execution “of faith into the good tsar” by shooting in the Bloody resurrection turns the first Russian revolution of 1905-1907 which will be crowned by a convocation of the State Duma – the Russian parliament. Stolypin’s reform will take out the country to the first places in the world by export of wheat, launch economic growth, stimulate industrial development. And it will also establish in the whole country the “stolypin’s gallows ties” on which the drumhead court-martials will hang all those who were suspected to participate in revolutionary movement. Unfortunately all the economic achievements will burn in a fire of the First World War and Stolypin – a monarchist reformer – will be betrayed by the tsar and killed by revolutionaries.
1915-1920
The First World War aggravated in any case painful contradictions in the country and the Russian Empire ceased to exist in the fire of tragic and brutal Civil War. Who are they, the notorious bolsheviks who established power of the Soviets? Great thinkers or criminal charlatans? An unambiguous answer is not found yet. One thing is quite obvious: Inability for decisive action of the tsarist and then even Temporary government drives a country with multi-million population to the unprecedented experiment the results of which we are still observing.
1921-1940
Time of great hopes and great exploits! NEP and then the industrialization lead the new USSR country out of outsiders of world politics and force countries of West to take into consideration a standpoint of a new industrial power. People’s exploit did the impossible: Of the agrarian country destroyed by a multi-year war, the USSR turned into an industrial monster! But industrialized Russia did not pass round a real tragedy: Exactly in this period Russian peasantry was completely destroyed as a class. Peasants were replaced by collective farmers who were not owners of land and benefits it produced. Collectivization and still dekulakization are evaluated quite ambiguously by historians. Some supposed it enhanced construction of a great country, others a crime against their own people, and its robbery.
1941-1945
Tragic and great time. Time of Exploit of all the Soviet people which hit fascism with its single fist. The Moscow battle which emerged as the first (!!!) defeat of German armies, as well as other, not less impressive battles, for example, near Stalingrad. Guerrilla movement which caused not less harm to fascists, than military battles. An underground... The feats were being accomplished on not only the battlefield, but also in the rear. Who is more heroic – a soldier who destroyed the enemies’ tank at the price of his life, or the mother who lost all her children in the war-time? The victory was given at a high price. At the price to which every Soviet person made his contribution.
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Soviet and pre-Soviet propaganda and advertising posters. Sorted in chronological order.
Soviet posters
During the Soviet leadership of the Communist Party was active propaganda of the communist future, which is being built on the cult pedestal. The work was carried out in all directions, its course was regulated by a centralized party. The ideology of Marxism-Leninism actively introduced into the mass consciousness of all available means, from printed material and posters to the radio and, in the second half of the XX century, television. However, the nature and the pressure of Soviet propaganda have changed to the extent that, as the history of the state is entering a new round. Citizens are not only indoctrinated with the postulates of social equality and justice, a healthy lifestyle, emphasis was also placed on patriotism.
Weapon of propaganda was not only the media - theater, visual arts and literature - were oriented accordingly. Today we have an opportunity to assess the cultural heritage, which left behind the Soviet era. Any, even the most insignificant work or publication years of the Soviet Union, carried a load of propaganda. The most striking and widespread example of propaganda of that time are Soviet posters, which were designed in an accessible way to bring to the mass consciousness of communist ideas.
The poster was the fastest and the mobile art form of the time. During the war, a poster was supposed to have the following qualities: acute presentation of information, instant reaction, agitation, by which identify the main features of the language posters. They were conditional and simple images, laconic, clear gestures of appeal. Prior to the Revolution there were only theater posters and advertisements.
The first posters were small size, and only 4-6 colors, because the artists had to work when there was a shortage of paints and pencils. Most recently, the Soviet Union carried placards great contribution to the dialogue between people. Posters were everywhere, they can be seen on the platforms, offices, restaurants, schools. They were different: colorful, painted with sharp calls. The government with the help of posters would indicate the meaning of life of the Soviet people. Most often the authors of these works were unknown to anyone artists or ordinary workers. Today, posters of the era are very interesting, they could not help us back in time.
As the direction of art, posters of the USSR, probably already lost, because they were replaced by computers, television, but these cute posters dipped into memories. Most of the time in the art of making propaganda posters. You will not find a person who would not remember depicted Woman in a red scarf and finger near lips with the slogan "Do not talk!". A famous poster from the Red Army, where he asked people: "You volunteered?". There are many posters. During the war, they are even placed in the tanks, which went into battle. This campaign effectively fought not only the enemy, but also a quitter and a robber. Most importantly, the Soviet posters instilled love for the country, and this is very important.
COMMENTS: 91 Ответы
Shut up about the Soviet Union; you didnt live there, you immature idiots.
Dont pay attention to them, Olga!
I lived during that time. And as someone who had traveled extensively on foreign assignments, I already understood then the utter poverty of that power held by party officials, which they diligently called peoples power.
Now, at the behest of those above, it has become fashionable to reminisce about Soviet times with nostalgic tears and to denigrate the time that gave propagandists-volunteers the opportunity to speak freely without fear of losing their jobs or freedom in prison or a psychiatric hospital. Look at one persons obsequious eagerness; he cant even say the word democracy, but everything reverts to well-known nonsense, which is what he lived in during that glorious time. As an ideologically correct worm, he didnt want to know anything about the lives of other people around him, while another person sneers at the millions who were tortured and repressed by the communists. God will judge them.
Just remember that if a person wants to put blindfolds over their eyes, they must understand that the set also includes a bridle and a whip (s). Their previous 70 years have taught them nothing; let at least the new generations be immune to Bolshevism. Otherwise, it will simply be terrifying to live...
To Olga and other individuals not personally targeted by Stalin, who are considered anti-people elements. Someone here was shouting about living under the regime and so on... Im 19 years old, I didnt live during socialism, but I will never defile our past. Yes, there were many bad things, as there always are. But its blasphemy to call posters blasphemous... The real blasphemy is that Stalin didnt personally execute everyone, not everyone like Olga and Grigory. He let many go, and now I have to die together with my people in poverty and hunger. God will judge you, those who open their rotten mouths against our heritage...
Hello! Thank you so much for the website. It actually made me tear up. Once again, thank you very much and with deepest gratitude!
Thank you. Excellent selection.
Great selection!
Where can I buy a collection of such posters?
Its both funny and sad to see all this. People used to believe in it, were willing to die for it. But now, looking back, it seems like utter nonsense and cheap propaganda...
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