Webster

The Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions." --American Statesman Daniel Webster (1782-1852)


Sunday, July 6, 2014

"What every Child Should Know..." 1950's Russia

I ran across this from English Russia, I always thought the art work was interesting and the style is emulated today especially with stuff depicting the democrats, occupy movement and other leftist groups.  I also noticed that the "Kids doing the right thing" are wearing the Red neckerchief of the "Young Pioneer" movement.  This movement is supposed to instil the "Ideals of the modern Soviet Man" at a young age.   The posters are what is considered "Propaganda" but actually most of it are good lessons for all children to know to be a better person and a productive member of society, which these posters tried to instill what I call proper values.  It is a universal truth and I wonder if we would be better off if this stuff is taught, not by the state, but by the parents and expected by society.

  I went on and looked up some information on the "Young Pioneer" movement.
     A pioneer movement is an organization for children operated by a communist party. Typically children enter into the organization in elementary school and continue until adolescence. The adolescents then typically join the Young Communist League. Prior to the 1990s there was a wide cooperation between pioneer and similar movements of about 30 countries, coordinated by the international organization, International Committee of Children's and Adolescents' Movements (French: Comité international des mouvements d'enfants et d'adolescents, CIMEA), founded in 1958, with headquarters in Budapest.
    
Pioneer movements exist in countries where the Communist Party is in power as well as in some countries where the Communist Party is in opposition, if the party is large enough to support a children's organization. In countries ruled by Communist Parties, membership of the pioneer movement is officially optional. However, membership provides many benefits, so the vast majority of children typically join the movement (although at different ages). During the existence of the Soviet Union, thousands of Young Pioneer camps and Young Pioneer Palaces were built exclusively for Young Pioneers, which were free of charge, sponsored by the government and trade unions. There were many newspapers and magazines published for Young Pioneers in millions of copies.
The Pioneer movement was modeled on the Scout movement, but there are some distinct differences. Most notably, the Scout movement is independent of government control and political parties. Some features, however, are reminiscent of the Scout movement. The two movements share some principles like preparedness and promotion of sports and outdoor skills. The pioneer movement also includes teaching of communist principles. Opponents of Communist states claim that this is a form of indoctrination.
A member of the movement is known as a pioneer, and a kerchief or necktie — typically red, but sometimes light blue — is the traditional item of clothing worn by a pioneer. The pioneer organization is often named after a famous party member that is considered a suitable role model for young communists. In the Soviet Union it was Vladimir Lenin; in East Germany, it was Ernst Thälmann. The Thälmann pioneers were taught the slogan "Ernst Thälmann is my role model. We wear our red scarf with pride." Albania, which severed diplomatic relations with the USSR in 1961, also had a variant of Pioneer organization, called Pioneers of Enver, named after the communist ruler of Albania, Enver Hoxha.


                              Depicting Lenin and the Quote" Always Ready"
The motto of the "Young Pioneers"
The propaganda and informational posters in the Soviet state were a popular form of art and targeted different slices of society. You come to a factory where workers work and see the "Don't steal from the factory!" or "Be careful with machinery!" posters around. You go out on the streets - you see different sorts of posters. Then when you enter a school for kids you get to see posters too, now these ones are targeted towards children. So what did kids have to know according to the propaganda masters of the State? Here is what "Every Boy Should Know"



"Playing on the street can be dangerous"
Although I don't think there were that many cars in 1950's Soviet Union

"Become a worthy son of the motherland" 
"Help the smaller ones without asking questions"

"Learn to do everything by yourself at an early age"

 "Love thy work, Learn to do something skillful with your hands"


"I will master this"

"Don't be a bully to small ones..The one who doesn't bully looks soo good"

"Never do this..."


"Help your parents, We should help our mom together"


 "We can do everything ourselves..We are helping our Mom"


 "You Never Lie"


"Talk the Truth, Honor your Team.."
If memory serves, the picture shown on the wall is of a kid that is a "hero" to the Young Pioneer movement, according to legend, he renounced his parents for the good of the state back in the 1920's I believe.


"Never take a drop,"  The bottle says "wine"


You should value every your minute, count all your time, don’t mess your schedule, right schedule will help us all!”The clock hands say "Day Schedule"



“Don’t be like this!”. This implies that you shouldn’t sit in the bus or other public transport if the elder people are standing.  You notice that the boy is dressed as the "Son of a Czar or nobleman would be dressed.


"Succeed in your studies"

   I think these would be worthwhile lessons for all kids be they from the United States or from other countries, the truths are universal















1 comment:

  1. Much like the Boy Scouts... too bad the kids today don't even learn common courtesy... sigh

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