MAKING HISTORY Conflict between Capitalism and Communism USA and Capitalism
Democracy – different political parties allowed in a democratic system of government
Capitalism – private ownership of business and industry
USSR and Communism
Dictatorship – one-party dictatorship with only the Communist Party allowed
Government ownership of business and industry
1. What is the message of each poster?
2. What is the purpose of each poster?
3. What does each poster say about the other society?
4. What propaganda techniques are used in each poster to persuade people? (Note: images, words and symbols)
5. How effective is each poster in getting their message across?
6. Are you persuaded by the messages in either poster?
A Soviet poster from the
1950s; ‘In the USSR there are many, many new schools, in the USA – schools are being closed all the time.’
An American poster from the 1950s
Danger of nuclear war The Cold War was important because of the danger of nuclear war. The USA and the Soviet Union (USSR) competed in an arms race as each side built hydrogen bombs (H-bombs) and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). (See timeline of nuclear arms race)
Art and propaganda The Cold War influenced books, movies and propaganda. Stories about capitalist and Communist ways of life were used to spread propaganda. Books and movies took sides in the conflict. James Bond books and films, for example, showed the Communists as ‘bad guys’.
