"Cold War Propaganda" Topic

"One feature of Cold War societies was the extensive use of political propaganda across different forms of media. Most Cold War propaganda promoted the virtues and advantages of one political system while criticising or demonising the other. This propaganda was prevalent throughout the Cold War but was at its peak in the 1950s and 1960s. During this period, pro-American and pro-capitalist values were promoted in film, television, music, literature and art. This was usually done openly and with little subtlety, particularly in material produced by governments.

The use of propaganda began almost with the Cold War itself. In 1948, the animated feature Make Mine Freedom extolled the advantages and freedoms available to those who live in a capitalist society. Released the following year, Meet King Joe urged American workers to be content because they had it better than workers anywhere else in the world.

As time progressed, the themes and methods in pro-Western propaganda became less explicit and more subtle. Governments produced less of it themselves, instead relying on film and television studios to incorporate acceptable political and cultural ideas and values into their products…"

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Armand

Incredible amoount of documents incorporated in this website, and certainly a lot of propaganda exhibited, if that is their purpose. Looking at the section on China, makes it look like the cultural revolution under Mao was a good thing.