Under the condition of full cooperation, we would already have stood with both feet on socialist soil. The whole of society must turn into a single worker's cooperative (Yu. K.) Soviet Posters (1917-1941)

The image is a Soviet propaganda poster from 1927, titled Under the condition of full cooperation, we would already have stood with both feet on socialist soil. The whole of society must turn into a single workers cooperative (Yu. K.).

What I see:

The poster depicts a scene of celebration and unity, set against the backdrop of a building labeled Society of Consumers. A crowd of people, dressed in a mix of peasant and early Soviet attire, are gathered in front of the building. Many are holding banners and flags, and some are waving. In the center of the crowd, a raised platform or stage is visible, upon which several figures stand, including one in a prominent position, likely a leader. Above them, a portrait of Vladimir Lenin is displayed, draped with a red banner proclaiming We will fulfill the behests of Ilyich.

The text is in Russian and is a central element of the poster. It emphatically states the core message: that full cooperation will lead to socialism. Below the main text, theres an illustration of a convoy of trucks and a tractor, loaded with goods, symbolizing a unified and organized effort. The artwork style is characteristic of early 20th-century Soviet posters, with bold colors and strong graphic elements.

Subtexts:

• Leninism and Communist Ideology: The portrait of Lenin and the banner quoting him (behests of Ilyich) clearly position the poster within the framework of Leninism and the communist ideology. It suggests that cooperation is the path to fulfilling Lenins vision for society.
• Collectivization and Cooperative Economy: The core message emphasizes full cooperation and transforming society into a single workers cooperative. This is a direct reference to the Soviet policy of collectivization and the promotion of a cooperative economic model, which was a key objective in the late 1920s. The illustration of the trucks and tractor reinforces this idea of organized, collective production and distribution.
• Consumerism vs. Production: The label Society of Consumers on the building could be interpreted in a few ways. It might represent the existing, perhaps individualistic, consumer structures that need to be transformed. Alternatively, it could represent the eventual beneficiaries of the cooperative system, where the needs of all consumers will be met through collective effort.
• Unity and Mobilization: The large crowd, the banners, and the celebratory atmosphere convey a message of mass mobilization and unity behind the communist cause. It aims to rally the populace and encourage them to embrace the cooperative ideal.
• Progress and Achievement: The statement we would already have stood with both feet on socialist soil implies that full cooperation is the missing piece to achieving a socialist society. It suggests that its a tangible and achievable goal, presented as a path to progress and a better future.
• Social Engineering: The call for the whole of society to transform into a single cooperative is a powerful statement of intent regarding social engineering and the creation of a new socialist man. It aims to dissolve individualistic tendencies in favor of collective consciousness and action.