Anniversaries of the “Russian Revolution” in Soviet propaganda in 1933–1939 Cover Image

Rocznice „rewolucji rosyjskiej” w propagandzie władz sowieckich w latach 1933–1939
Anniversaries of the “Russian Revolution” in Soviet propaganda in 1933–1939

Author(s): Dariusz Jeziorny
Subject(s): Comparative history, History of ideas, Oral history, Political history, Recent History (1900 till today), Pre-WW I & WW I (1900 -1919)
Published by: Instytut Historii im. Tadeusza Manteuffla Polskiej Akademii Nauk
Keywords: Soviet Union;Russian Revolution 1917;propaganda during the Stalinist Period;revolution’s anniversary;Communist International;

Summary/Abstract: The Soviet Union as a typical totalitarian regime was strongly inclined to celebrate various events which were of great propaganda value to the regime. One of such occasions was the anniversary of the Russian Revolution. The article presents basic ways of influencing the public opinion in Soviet Russia in 1933–1939. Special attention is paid to the fact whether successive celebrations of the “October Revolution” made more evident contents that emphasised the strengthening of Stalin’s dictatorship in the USSR, a change in the course of Soviet foreign policy, or propagated the policy of the Communist International. Whether there were some other subjects and topics brought up in occasional speeches and manifestos? What was the proportion between internal and external affairs brought up in enunciations delivered on this occasion? To whom were they addressed and in what way? And what was the actual purpose of the anniversary celebrations of the victorious Bolshevik coup of 1917? Were there, apart from successive publications of documents “in honour”, any other tools of influencing the public opinion? All these questions can be answered after a thorough analysis of speeches and statements made by the leading politicians of the Soviet Union or specially appointed people. It is also highly reasonable to analyse other – than words – elements of propaganda tactics to influence people.

  • Issue Year: 49/2017
  • Issue No: 4
  • Page Range: 113-134
  • Page Count: 22
  • Language: Polish