Propaganda and its Implications
Creativity: A tool used during the Cold War
The origins of the Cold War are difficult to trace, because the Cold War itself was a contest of two ideologies.
The West equated nationalist movements to the communist threat, and consequently to some affiliation with the Soviet Union. In particular, nationalist movements in regions such as Guatemala, Philippines and Indochina were perceived to be allied with the Soviet Union. The poster shows a Soviet-backed aggressor trying to exert influence in the Philippines.
This is taken from a comic book published in the 1960s. It is reminiscent of a time when the Red Scare shook the USA. Many people started to believe that the US would go the way of other nations, like Poland or China. Just fifteen years before, the menace was the threats from Japanese Imperialism or European Fascism, the communist threat overtook, and took the stage as the predominant threat of that time.
The 1950s marked the climax of the Red Scare. Anti-communism was widespread in America. During this time, many political and popular culture figures were accused of communist activity. This anti-communist poster shows the symbolic skull of death behind the mask of Stalin.
Anti-communist propaganda in the Captain America comic, 1954
Bohn Aluminum and Brass Corporation is famous for its illustrations. It launched a massive anti-communist campaign during the 1950's, publishing gory posters with disembodied hands etc. The poster on the left is a prime example of their illustrations.