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Methods of Control - Coggle Diagram
Methods of Control
Propaganda
Propaganda was transmitted through numerous ways, television, radio, posters, etc.
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At the time, very few newspapers were published and therefore propaganda posters served as a primary means of communication. During the revolution, posters were sent to the front lines of communist opposition cities with the warning that “anyone who tears down or covers up this poster is committing a counter-revolutionary act”.
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The American government aimed to create a capitalist society which embraced the American way of life and was patriotic to their country. Furthermore, through propaganda the American government intended to inform the public about what communism truly encapsulated oppression, deceit, and world domination. This later caused the red scare.
In the Soviet Union, the public was afraid of impending nuclear war and Western encroachment. As such, propaganda served a similar purpose – to win over hearts and minds in the struggle for international ideological superiority. Soviet propaganda mostly targeted Soviet and Eastern European audiences, playing into widespread fears of the Other in the America and the West.
Both USSR and US propaganda both have very strong propaganda, the US is trying to depict communism as evil and raise patriots. While the USSR is trying to depict the US as the evil ones.
Terror and Force
The soviet’s ruled with an iron hand as shown when Hungary tried to revolt and seek help from the west. Khrushchev brought several tanks in and installed a puppet leader. Furthermore, this set and example of what would become of your country if you tried to revolt
The Soviet Union hired people in all occupations to work as the secret police. People in eastern Europe constantly feared speaking out against the government because the secret police were disguised as ordinary citizens.
The Kent State shootings were the killing of 4 and injuring of 9 unarmed students. These students were among the 300+ students that gathered to protest against the Cambodian Incursion. The police were sent to oppress the protest outside of the university and they killed 4 and injured 9.
The Red Scare was a period of time where thousands of Americans were accused of communism by Joseph McCarthy. Many of these claims were made without evidence. McCarthy was accusing his political rivals of communism to lessen his competition. He did this at a time period where everyone was afraid of communism taking over their country, so as to take advantage of the new fear.
Both the US and the USSR tried to maintain a strong control over the populace, the USSR was definitely more controlling, but the US was still trying to win its citizens to its cause.
Charismatic Leaders
Stalin was very charismatic and always seemed very friendly in negotiations, yet could be very straight forward.
Stalin could be ruthless as well, he would do anything to guarantee his safety and was very paranoid
The Silent Majority Speech that Nixon gave called that he was working to withdraw US troops from Vietnam, while trying to get a peace agreement from northern Vietnam and train south Vietnamese troops. He called on the ‘silent majority’ in the US for their support while he worked out peace in Vietnam.
Both leaders could be very charismatic, however I would say that Stalin was more paranoid then the US leaders.
Policy Changes
The soviet union's policy of direct military in the regional conflict was based on the national interest in expanding its influence and denying the US the same.
John F. Kennedy (JFK) provided south Vietnam with jets, helicopters, armored personnel carriers, and other troops of war.
The previous presidents before Nixon were also involved in the Vietnam war, Eisenhower sent military advisors and money to Vietnam.
The US and USSR both enacted big policy changes in the cold war. The USSR was more focused on countering the US. And the US was trying to combat communism and giving money and resources to countries susceptible to communism.
