Globalization of the Internal Enemy Image in the Soviet Visual Propaganda during the Early Cold War (1946–1953)

Abstract

The present research featured a generalized historical experience in the formation and development of a particular segment of Soviet propaganda during the early Cold War (1946–1953). The authors focused on the visual propaganda as a component of ideological impact. The study involved 240 propaganda posters and over 2,000 magazine and newspaper caricatures published in 1946–1953. The reconstruction of events was part of content analysis of the ideological and propaganda campaigns that the USSR waged as its confrontation with the West began to escalate. The concept of Soviet patriotism was the key idea in the state ideology. The analysis made it possible to specify some features of the symbolic language of visual propaganda. It also revealed the relationship between international and domestic political scenarios through certain varieties of the enemy image. The authors assessed the effectiveness of propaganda in terms of social and political attitude expressed by Soviet citizens. The authors revealed a complex of various means, which included official publications, posters, and cartoons and was used to influence the mass consciousness and form certain ideological attitudes.