Art is a site of cultural transformation. These communist propaganda posters take you back to one of the biggest movements in history.
Burov: “We march for integration.” Source: Huffington Post
The Russian avant-garde movement was more than just a faction of the art scene; it linked the Soviet working class and the Communist Party and served as a site of cultural transformation.
1930s: “For the Industrial Plan; for completing a five-year plan in only four; against religion."
“Long live the socialist revolution!”
1928: “Down with world fascism!” Source: Huffington Post
Anti-Nazi propaganda: “Worker, be on the alert!” Source: Huffington Post
1920: “Vrangel is next on line." (Vrangel was a commanding general in the Russian Civil War.)
1920: “The organization of consumer cooperatives strengthens the Red Army.” Source: Huffington Post
1920s: “Follow the true path, comrades!”
1970s art by Boris Parmeev: “We grow under the sun of our country.”
1920s: “All workers choose the Soviets!” Source: Huffington Post
1970s: “We are in solidarity with you, Vietnam!” Source: Huffington Post
1930: Poster from Gustav Klutsis: “With great labor we will fulfill the plan.” Source: Huffington Post
1920s: “All power to the Soviets. Peace to the People. Land to the peasants.” Source: Huffington Post
1920s: “With guns we will defeat the enemy, with hard work we will have bread. To work, comrades!”
1920s: “Long live the 3rd Communist International – from a red October to a world revolution.”
1931: “Come to us on the collective farm, comrade!"
1930’s: “Komsomol is the shock brigade of the five year plan.” (Komsomol are communist youth) Source: Huffington Post
- “Forward, to the victory of communism!” Poster features Lenin, Engels and Marx.
1919: “Death to capital, or death under the heel of capitalism!” Source: Huffington Post
1921: “Proletarians of all countries, unite!" Source: Huffington Post
1950: “Soldiers! History requires excellent knowledge of military technology.” Source: Huffington Post
1930: “The Ten Commandments of the Proletariat.”
World War II: “The Motherland Calls”
1930s: “Communist Youth, to tractors! Into the shock troops of the spring harvest!”
The Russian Revolution: “Have you signed up with the volunteers?” Source: Huffington Post
It didn’t stop at posters. All facets of media were used as political tools to install kitschy hope and pride into societal bloodstreams.
1930s: “For the Industrial Plan; for completing a five-year plan in only four; against religion."
“Long live the socialist revolution!”
1928: “Down with world fascism!” Source: Huffington Post
Anti-Nazi propaganda: “Worker, be on the alert!” Source: Huffington Post
1920: “Vrangel is next on line." (Vrangel was a commanding general in the Russian Civil War.)
1920: “The organization of consumer cooperatives strengthens the Red Army.” Source: Huffington Post
1920s: “Follow the true path, comrades!”
1970s art by Boris Parmeev: “We grow under the sun of our country.”
1920s: “All workers choose the Soviets!” Source: Huffington Post
1970s: “We are in solidarity with you, Vietnam!” Source: Huffington Post
1930: Poster from Gustav Klutsis: “With great labor we will fulfill the plan.” Source: Huffington Post
1920s: “All power to the Soviets. Peace to the People. Land to the peasants.” Source: Huffington Post
1920s: “With guns we will defeat the enemy, with hard work we will have bread. To work, comrades!”
1920s: “Long live the 3rd Communist International – from a red October to a world revolution.”
1931: “Come to us on the collective farm, comrade!"
1930’s: “Komsomol is the shock brigade of the five year plan.” (Komsomol are communist youth) Source: Huffington Post
- “Forward, to the victory of communism!” Poster features Lenin, Engels and Marx.
1919: “Death to capital, or death under the heel of capitalism!” Source: Huffington Post
1921: “Proletarians of all countries, unite!" Source: Huffington Post
1950: “Soldiers! History requires excellent knowledge of military technology.” Source: Huffington Post
1930: “The Ten Commandments of the Proletariat.”
World War II: “The Motherland Calls”
1930s: “Communist Youth, to tractors! Into the shock troops of the spring harvest!”
The Russian Revolution: “Have you signed up with the volunteers?” Source: Huffington Post
When paired with an educational system that would indoctrinate and form a “new-man” to embody the Soviet cause, it seemed that the Soviet propaganda machine–and by extension, the Soviets–was unstoppable.
Said one schooling theorist,
After seeing these beautiful Communist propaganda posters from the Soviet Union, see our other posts of vintage Soviet propaganda posters and stunning photographs of China before communism.
