Soviet Propaganda: Posters From The Era Of Stalin And World War II

By Gabe Paoletti | Checked By Gabrielle Kwarteng

Published August 2, 2017

Updated December 28, 2018

Whether encouraging obedience or discouraging loose talk, these Soviet propaganda posters are masterpieces of manipulation.

"Parasites and loafers stop others from working."

Vasily Nikolaevich Kostianitsyn, 1920New York Public Library

“Motherland is Calling!”

Irakli Toidze, 1941

“Have you enlisted in the army?”

Dmitry Moor, 1920

"The price of a match."

Vyacheslav Frantsevich Utrimatisya, 1920Wikimedia Commons

“Keep your mouth shut!”

Nina Vatolina, 1941

“To Defend USSR”

 Valentina Kulagina, 1930

"Treachery to Brothers"

Aleksandr Petrovich Apsit, 1918 New York Public Library

"Have you helped the front?"

Dmitry Moor, 1941

"USSR – shock brigade of the world proletariat"

Gustavs Klucis, 1931Wikimedia Commons

"Red Army Soldier, Save Us”

Viktor Koretsky, 1942

"Death to World Imperialism"

Dmitry Moor, 1919

"Take care of your book - it is the true companion in campaigns and in peaceful work."

Nikolai Nikolaevich, 1919New York Public Library

"He who does not work, does not eat!"

Abel Anatolievich Lekomtsev, 1920Wikimedia Commons

"Beware of the Mensheviks and Social Revolutionary Party Members. They are followed by the Tsar's generals, priests and landowners."

1920Wikimedia Commons

“Comrade Lenin Cleanses the Earth of Filth."

Viktor Deni, 1920Wikimedia Commons

"Knowledge will break the chains of slavery."

Alexei Radakov, 1920Wikimedia Commons

"Savior of the World! Follow Me Into the Bosom of My Father, And He Will Give You Eternal Life ..."

Dmitry Moor, 1920

"An illiterate man is a blind man."

Alexei Radakov, 1920Wikimedia Commons

"Every cook should learn to govern the state." [Lenin quote]

Il'ja P. Makarychev, 1925

"The spectre of communism is moving across Europe."

Vladimir Vasil'evich Lebedev, 1925New York Public Library

"Away With Private Peasants!" [Bottom text]

"The private peasants are most bestial, brutal and savage exploiters, who in the history of other countries have time and again restored the power of the landlords, tsars, priests and capitalists." [Top Text]

1930Wikimedia Commons

“Workers and Peasants: Don’t let them destroy what was created over 10 years.”

1927Wikimedia Commons

“Let’s thrash it!”

Victor Deni, 1930

"Let's speed up industrialization in the USSR with deposits to the Labor Savings Offices."

1932Wikimedia Commons

"Fence in where there is danger."

Vyacheslav Francevich Strimaytis, 1941Wikimedia Commons

“For Motherland!”

Alexei Kokorekin, 1943

“Young builders of Communism, go forth toward the new achievements in labor and education!”

1943

"To the west!"

Viktor Ivanov, 1943

"We'll raise a generation, selflessly loyal to communism."

Viktor Ivanov, 1947Wikimedia Commons

Modern Soviet propaganda first appeared during the Russian Revolution of 1917. Used to promote the revolution and engender optimism for the new society, this propaganda also sought to attack opponents of Vladimir Lenin’s government, including the ruling class, landowning peasants, and anyone espousing competing communist ideologies.

At the time, very few newspapers were published and therefore propagandistic posters served as a primary means of communication. During the revolution, posters were sent to the front lines of communist opposition cities with the warning that “anyone who tears down or covers up this poster is committing a counter-revolutionary act”.

After the revolution, posters were commissioned from some of the biggest artists in the Soviet Union and encompassed many different revolutionary aesthetics in order to promote communist values related to hard work, fairness, and education.

With Joseph Stalin in charge by the late 1920s, Soviet propaganda began to focus more on political discipline and ambitious government programs, particularly the collectivization of land and establishment of industry.

In service of these aims, the government produced countless dynamic, somewhat abstract posters featuring bright colors and distinct shapes. However, this aesthetic was later replaced with one featuring more lifelike images. And always present were core communist symbols like the red star as well as the hammer and sickle.

With the onset of World War II, Soviet propaganda took on a new importance in rallying national support for the war effort and convincing eligible people to enlist.

Wartime aside, Soviet propaganda became a defining aspect of the nation's very culture, spreading the aesthetics, values, and lessons of the Soviet ideology throughout the nation and beyond.

Next, for more Russian propaganda posters, check out this gallery of Soviet posters from the Cold War. Then, check out these World War I posters that inspired much of modern propaganda.