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By 1973, the Communists Want to Be Masters of the World
This 1954 Italian poster, issued by the Christian Democracy party (Democrazia Cristiana), is a striking piece of Cold War-era propaganda. The bold headline reads, "Entro il 1973 I Comunisti Vorrebbero Essere Padroni del Mondo" (By 1973, the Communists Want to Be Masters of the World).
The central part of the poster features an image of a tank and soldiers, illustrating the perceived threat of communist military aggression. Below the image, a map of the world highlights regions in red, representing areas under communist influence or threat. The poster ends with a call to action, "Questi Fatti Siano un Monito per Tutti!" (These Facts Should Be a Warning to All!).
The text provides a dire warning about the spread of communism, alleging a secret document that outlines a communist plan for world domination by 1973. It describes various stages of this plan, including military preparations and political subversion in different regions of the world. The poster warns against the deceptive tactics of communists, who purportedly use the defense of workers' rights as a pretext for their agenda. This fear-mongering narrative is intended to rally support against communism and promote vigilance among the populace.
Historical Context
The Christian Democracy (Democrazia Cristiana, DC) party was a centrist political force in Italy, founded in 1943 as a response to the fall of Mussolini's fascist regime. During the Cold War, Italy was a frontline state in the ideological battle between the Western democracies and the Soviet-led communist bloc. The DC positioned itself as a staunchly anti-communist party, emphasizing its alignment with Western democratic values and its opposition to Soviet influence. The party's messaging often reflected the broader fears of communist expansion that were prevalent in Western Europe at the time.
In 1954, the geopolitical landscape was intensely polarized. The Soviet Union had established control over Eastern Europe, and Western Europe was experiencing significant political tension due to the presence of influential communist parties, particularly in Italy and France. The Italian Communist Party (PCI) was one of the largest and most influential communist parties in Western Europe. The Christian Democracy party leveraged this context to strengthen its political position, using propaganda such as this poster to appeal to the public's fear of communism.
The poster reflects the broader strategy of the DC to frame itself as the protector of freedom and democracy, rallying citizens against the perceived threat of a global communist takeover.
