Propaganda and the Cold War

Context: After introducing the unit topic and theme and briefly discussing the origins of the Cold War, this is the first of two lessons on propaganda. This lesson looks at what propaganda is, how propaganda was used during the Cold War, and how effective its use was during the war.

! Plan Number: 3 out of 15 !

Objectives and Common Core State Standards: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6-8.2 Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6-8.8 Distinguish among fact, opinion, and reasoned judgment in a text. Cognitive: SWBAT analyze the different ways that propaganda was used throughout the Cold War. SWBAT analyze different pieces of propaganda from the Cold War for effectiveness. Affective: SWBAT participate effectively in small groups.

Materials/Technology Resources Required Smart Board Copy of the movie Rocky VI TV/DVD player One copy of each of the attached Cold War-era propaganda posters from the website http:// www.designer-daily.com/10-amazing-cold-war-propaganda-posters-2901 Cold War Propaganda worksheets Pens/pencils

! Time: 47 minutes !

Instructional Procedures/Steps: 1. Have Smart Starter #153 displayed on the Smart Board when students enter the room (see attached Smart Starter). Students have three minutes to complete the Smart Starter. 2. Discuss with students their responses to the Smart Starter. 3. Ask students what they think the word propaganda means. Discuss. 4. After some discussion, explain that propaganda means: information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote or publicize a particular political cause or point of view. Explain that propaganda typically tries to appeal to a persons emotion instead of intellect. Propaganda typically involves the use of half-truths or the leaving out of important information. Explain that when the students bought or did what they wrote about in their Smart Starters, they may have been a victim of propaganda.

5. Explain that, although propaganda typically has negative connotations, in and of itself it is not bad. It is how it is used that makes it good or evil. 6. Show the training clip from the movie Rocky VI. 7. When the clip is over, ask the class how that clip could be viewed as propaganda. 8. Then, create two columns on the whiteboard and have two students come to the front of the class to be scribes. One column will be labeled U.S. and the other column will be labeled Soviet Union. Have the students generate a list of characteristics that Rocky and the Russian fighter personify about each country. 9. Show a picture of the first Cold War propaganda picture (the one of the mirror-image of Superman) to the class and the class will discuss what it represents, if it is propaganda, and why. 10. Next, the students will be broken up into groups of about four students each. Each group will receive a different image representing Cold War propaganda. They will analyze the image and complete the attached Cold War Propaganda Worksheet. 11. When all of the groups are complete, each group will present their findings to the class.

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Evaluation: Walk around the room during group work time and informally assess how well the groups are working together and whether or not they are on task. Each group will turn in a completed Cold War Propaganda Worksheet at the end of class. Accommodations: A student can work individually on this assignment if they do not function well in a group setting.

! Appendix of Materials Needed: ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

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This poster, which appears on the front cover of David Crowleys Posters of the Cold War book, depicts the USA and USSR, side-by-side, as identical Superman characters.

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This British poster was displayed in government and military offices throughout the country.

The Soviet Union wanted strong citizens who could work for the benefit of the Motherland. The BGTO training program was introduced in 1931 and included gymnastics, sprint and long distance running, long and high jumps, discus, javelin, swimming, cross-country skiing and sharp shooting. The boy in the poster above is carrying a book of BGTO standards.

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French anti-communist group, Paix et Libert, created this poster, which openly mocks Stalins advocacy of peaceful values. Stalin is depicted as a peace protestor with sinister motives, holding a Peace sign in one hand and a bommy-knocker in the other.

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The Soviet Union was keen to promote a positive image of itself throughout the early 1970s against a backdrop of the Vietnam War and a highly volatile relationship with the USA.

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By 1962, sporting events such as the Olympic Games had become hotly contested between the Soviet Union and the USA. Each was desperate to win in order to demonstrate their power and dominance over the other. In the 1956 and 1960 Olympic Games, the Soviet Union was victorious.

In this poster, banners carried by marching Soviet citizens create a somewhat subtle image of Lenins face. The caption reads People and the party are undivided.

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As dark clouds loom over the USA, the USSR bathes in glorious sunshine. The black thermometer shows the American Industry Rate pitched well below the Soviet Industry Rate, which is displayed on the red thermometer. The information box at the bottom tells of an American economic crisis.

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Rightly or wrongly, the West perceived nationalist movements in many countries and regions around the world to be allied with communist groups and supported by the Soviet Union. The most notable of such movements appeared in Guatemala, Iran, the Philippines and Indochina. This poster shows a Soviet-backed, machete-armed aggressor trying to exert influence in the Philippines.

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Published one year after Stalins death, this poster reinforces the message that Soviet research and development of weapons and machinery is ongoing.

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Names:____________________________________________________________ Period:__________

Cold War Propaganda Worksheet

1.) Why is this propaganda?____________________________________________

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2) What is the purpose of this piece of propaganda?_________________________

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3) Which countries are depicted in this piece of propaganda?__________________

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4) What generalizations can be made from this?____________________________

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5) Was this piece of propaganda effective? Why?___________________________

Smart Starter #153: Free Write Write about a time when you or possibly your parents/guardians felt persuaded to buy or do something that you didnt necessarily want to buy or do in the first place.