Parallels between Trump and The Soviet Union as shown by political propaganda

  Following his success in being elected as the current President 'people living in the United States have entered into one of the most dangerous periods of the 21st century. Not only has Trump been termed 'a twisted caricature of every variation of economic, political, educational, and social fundamentalism, he is 'committed to destroying free speech, civil rights... and all vestiges of economic justice and democracy' (Giroux, 2017).  This era that he is leading America in to of totalitarianism and capitalism shows unnerving resemblance to the preexisting rule of the Soviet Union state.

  In 1932, 'the Soviet state proclaimed that all artists must embrace the Socialist Realist philosophy

and style'. With principles that included 'loyalty to the Communist Party and correct ideological stance and content', those who chose not to adhere to this 'could be interrogated, imprisoned, or even elected'( Guggenheim n.d.). The role of art was purely to support the Communist Parties ideologies and beliefs, thus making 'propaganda posters... among the most significant tools for influencing public opinion in the Soviet Union'. Giving rise to the "Russian avant-garde" modern art movement', whereby movements that surfaced including Constructivism and Suprematism portrayed the 'fertile meeting place between art and ideology' (Anon 2014). 

  The role of colour played a crucial role in Soviet propaganda in its support of the state. The colour red was labeled the colour of Revolution, adopted by the Bolsheviks is was said to represent the blood of the workers. Red thus was a prevalent feature of Soviet propaganda due to its instant visual association with the Soviet state.


  The poster below entitled 'Mercilessly Defeat And Destroy The Enemy!', is a classic example of this use of red. In this piece it is the only colour incorporated. Hitler is represented as a rat clawing his was out of a newspaper, whilst the Communist Party, represented by a red military figure violently forces him back down with his gun.

Anon, 2014. 35 Communist Propaganda Posters Illustrate Art And Ideology Of Another  Time [Online]. Huffinton Post. Available from: https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/communist-propaganda-post_n_6377336.

Giroux, H.A., 2017. Trumps War on Dangerous Memory and Critical Thought- The Political Anthropologist [Online]. The Political Anthropologist. Available from: http://www.politicalanthropologist.com/2017/04/21/trumps-war-dangerous-memory-critical-thought/.

Guggenheim, Art and Ideology : Late 1920s and 40s [Online]. Available from: https://www.guggenheim.org/arts-curriculum/topic/art-and-ideology [Accessed 21 May 2018].

Leonidis, 2017. 33 Translated World War 2 USSR/Communist Propaganda Posters [Online]. Available from: https://premium23.com/translated-world-war-2-ussr-communist-propaganda-posters/ [Accessed 19 May 2018].