Propaganda during the Russian Revolution

Propaganda is used to spread information through the use of newspapers, television, radios, and films. Propaganda was heavily exercised during the Russian Revolution of 1917. Propaganda told people what to believe, snatching them of their right of freedom to think. Joseph Stalin, a major figure in the Russian Revolution, used propaganda to publicize his messages. Stalin was the General Secretary of the Communist Party. He soon replaced his enemies within the communist party with people who favored him and soon became the sole and unchallenged leader of the Soviet Union. Stalin was pictured on posters which carried out his messages. The use of propaganda was effective because it was sure to relay its messages.

This poster pictures Joseph Stalin. This poster depicts Stalin as all- knowing and all- powerful. It shows people are putting flowers upon Stalin’s photo, depicting their loyalty towards him. This was Stalin’s cult of personality. The poster is powerful because people can relate to it very easily. Illiterate people can look at the poster and understand its meaning. This poster shows common people putting flowers onto Stalin’s photo. Placing flowers onto a photo is a common task, but within this poster its meaning is very lucid: Stalin is all- knowing and all- powerful, and people should bestow all their loyalty upon him.



Stalin addresses a crowd of people with a peaceful and charming grace. His stance depicts this. In this poster, common people listen to Stalin, displaying their loyalty towards him and his rule. This poster can convey its message easily: Stalin cares about the needs and necessities of his people. Common people understand this poster because they are part of it: they can relate themselves to the people listening to Stalin. This poster is powerful mainly because it includes the common people of Russia.



This poster depicts another major figure of the Russian Revolution, Lenin. Lenin led the Bolsheviks during the Civil War which lasted from 1918- 20. This poster shows Lenin towering above the Russian people, in an act of blessing them. Above him are Zeppelin aircrafts which he commanded during the Civil War. Lenin acts as a father of his people. This picture can convey its message easily because the Russian people can relate themselves to the people in the poster. The simple act of blessing people has been taken further, so now this poster depicts Lenin acting as the care-taker of all Russian people. This poster is very effective for two reasons. One, the poster might have encouraged people to grant their loyalty and trust to Lenin, during a very chaotic period of the Russian Revolution, the Civil War. Two, this poster includes the Russian people. Using common people, who needed guidance during the Civil War, is the easiest way to make them see that being loyal to Lenin can make Russia powerful.


This poster illustrates Lenin leading the Red Army during the Russian Civil War. The poster reads: ‘Peace, Land, Bread.’ It portrays Lenin as the father and leader of Russia. He is shown leading the Red (Communist) Army to their victory in the Civil War. The message is very evident: Lenin is the leader of Russia, and he is the only man who will bring prosperity to Russia. This poster is effective because it was fabricated when the people most needed it: during the chaotic period of the Russian Revolution.


This poster delineates Lenin as the leader of the Bolsheviks. Behind him, in the background, is the Red’s flag. Lenin, in this poster, is pictured as the guiding light, whose sole purpose is to bring success to Russia and its people. His stance shows his concern. The message in this poster is that Lenin is the leader of the Bolsheviks and he will bring eminence to Russia. This poster is effective because it shows Lenin’s concern for his people, when they needed to know that someone cared for them and someone would improve their lives.


Posters with effective colors, pictures, and words can alter people’s minds very easily and effectively. The use of propaganda has changed the course of the Russian Revolution. If Lenin’s Political Testament, which he wrote before he died in 1924, was read out to the public, Stalin might have never become the sole and unchallenged leader of Russia. Through the use of propaganda, he made himself powerful and people trusted him. Propaganda is using newspapers, radios, television, and posters to publicize information. It was heavily used during the Russian Revolution of 1917.


Thanks to:

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6.) "Gordon Brown and Stalinism." Dave's Part. 20 March 2007. 5 Nov 2007 .
7.) "Propaganda Posters." Fortune City. 5 Nov 2007 .
8.) DeLaine, Linda. "Peace, Land, Bread!." Russian Life. PublishSync. 5 Nov 2007 .