The Use of Propaganda in the Gdr During the Cold War

The Use of Propaganda in the GDR During the Cold War More than any other wars, the Cold War was fought with words, mainly through the media as psychological warfare. Popular culture was used as a decoy to sway the opinions of the general public in support of various governmental institutions. In East Germany, political propaganda was frequently incorporated into film, journalism, and the mass media to promote socialism. East Germany was a close ally to the Soviet Union who fought to keep western influences and capitalism out of their culture. To do so, films and newspapers idealized socialism and steered clear of capitalistic ideologies. In 1961 a permanent blockade was built as an â€Å"iron curtain† to keep East Germany completely†¦show more content†¦The curriculum in the East German education system taught standard subjects like math and science, however the underlying message of all teaching related back to the idea of understanding socialist behavior. The propaganda in education not only promoted socialism, it also included many anti-American messages. Capitalists were portrayed as barbaric and militant, while socialists were portrayed as peacemakers. History books were rewritten by historians in the GDR and offered false explanations of the past, describing socialism as the only successful and dignified ideology and as the only means by which East Germany could have a future. Another means by which the GDR targeted a young audience was through children’s literature. Stories and fables often carried a hidden message about socialism and the struggles between East and West Germany. One reason for targeting children with literature propaganda was because they represented the future of East Germany as a socialist nation. Another reason for the indoctrination of the youth was because they were considered equal to adults, and were just as much a part of the class struggle, therefore they should be taught about the same issues as their older generations, â€Å"In 1956, the Minist er of Culture, Joh. R. Becher†¦[ believed that]†¦ admonishing the threefold bourgeois separation between highbrow literature, light reading matter, and childrens literature†¦theShow MoreRelatedThe Alliance of Britain, USSR, and the United States During WWII was a Marriage of Convenience1684 Words   |  7 PagesThe alliance between Britain, the USSR and the USA during the Second World War has often been viewed as a marriage of convenience. They unified to defeat one common enemy, Nazi Germany. At the beginning of the Second World War the USA remained neutral, although they acted sympathetically towards the British cause against Nazi Germany. 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