The Cold War was a bitter rivalry between the United States and the soviet union that was started during the ending of World War II and continued till early nineties. Let me present some of the most obvious markers of this era: one of them was the Berlin Wall. But from behind the Iron Curtain, political cartoons were useful for molding the opinion of the public and depicting the Cold War conflict. In this blog post, the analysis of Cold War Berlin Wall political cartoons, together with their importance to the knowledge of the global narrative, is going to be discussed.
The video and the readings show how political cartoons featured in the propaganda of the Cold War.
Cartooning has always been one of the most effective types of visual imagery in the political sphere. These cartoons were an important representative of the discourse used by both the sides of the Cold War, in order to propagandize their agenda and show the vices of the opponent. They became the voice of their own population calling for the stereotypes of the opposite population and pushing for their own beliefs.
Humorous approaches by artists including the German Klaus Stuttmann through a political cartoon, which contained satire, irony and humor reflected tension in the period. These cartoons depicted principal Cold War actors, such as President Ronald Reagan of the United States and Premier Mikhail Gorbachev of the Soviet Union fighting or bargaining over the Berlin Wall representing the division of East and West.
Cold War Berlin Wall cartoons, themes and symbols
There are various elements of place and theme which cartoonists used to create a meaningful picture. Let’s take a closer look at some of these:
- Wall Imagery
It was also surprising to note that the Berlin Wall itself was used as the subject matter of the political cartoons. It was also the physical and ideological and political structure which distinguished the two superpowers of the world. The wall as depicted by the cartoonist represents a symbol of the war between communism symbolized by east Germany and democracy symbolized by west Germany.
- Freedom and Oppression
The second regular topic that was illustrated in these cartoons was the fight between the oppressors and the liberators. The wall was depicted as a prison in Western cartoons and as a barrier that shielded citizens from the effects of Western-style economistic vulgarity in the East. They also used every other method they could to amplify the concept of liberty and control that existed for the slaves and slave owners respectively.
- Soviet Union and the United States: Missile Crisis & Nuclear Arms Race
Political cartoons also featured the arms race between the US and the Soviet Union. One of the severest crises of the Cold War which existed between two superpowers, US and Soviet Union, known as the Cuban Missile Crisis was often depicted in cartoons. D and artists began to paint opposite symbols such as rockets, nuclear bombs, and peace doves to condemn incessant tensions and probability of nuclear warfare.
Overview of Cold War Berlin Wall Political Cartoons and the World
During the cold war period cartoons were very influential in shaping the opinion of the people within a country and to other countries as well. They aided in Paleolithic political issues demystification and explained politically related complication in a format understood by the common consumer. Caricature relates the struggle in language that was easily understandable across the globe thus helping listeners make informed decisions.
Besides affecting the opinion of the people, political cartoons used to have a way of affecting politicians and policymakers. They reflected the problems of the society and raised discussion. These cartoons turned into more significant historical ensembles, which helped the historians and any researchers to get the deep look at the specific sentiments and social background in the period of the Cold War.
Conclusion
The political cartoons of the Cold War Berlin Wall were not just art, but postcard art of political propaganda and influence. They depicted political, social and economic climates of that time, conflicts, beliefs and powers. They were often symbolic, humorous and satirical; therefore they were a language understood by many and communicated many societal and political issues.
As we reflect on this turbulent period of history, it is essential to recognize the significance of political cartoons in shaping our understanding of the Cold War and the iconic symbol that was the Berlin Wall.
