APWH: The Rise of Joseph Stalin

Fun Fact: Joseph Stalin invented Photoshop!

Ok, he did not invent Photoshop, but he did use altered images as propaganda and punishment in a horrifying manner. Stalin came to power after the death of Vladimir Lenin and remained in power until his own death in 1953. His agricultural and industrial plans, coupled with the Great Purge of anyone opposed to him, led to the estimated deaths of up to 20 million of his own people in the Soviet Union. He turned the Communist dictatorship into a force to be reckoned with at the cost of his own people.

Propaganda was key in keeping people in line. Please read through this packet of Soviet propaganda and images. Remember, one of the key purposes of propaganda is to make something seem better than it actually is. What is in here may not be accurate, or it may be exaggerated In rare cases such as a greater equality among the genders or a greater tolerance of multi-ethnicity, it can actually be true but its end goal is still propaganda.

On TurnItIn.com, upload a paragraph or two reflection on some things that you noticed (tone, messaging, etc) and what you feel the intent of these documents are. How do you feel propaganda was being used under Joseph Stalin?