How Russian Nationalism was Presented in Soviet Second World War Propaganda

SOVIET RUSSIA PROPAGANDA: HOW RUSSIAN NATIONALISM WAS PRESENTED IN SOVIET SECOND WORLD WAR PROPAGANDA
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Introduction
The Soviet nationalist narrative during World War II was that Russia, its citizens, and USSR leadership were the heroic defenders of freedom and justice against the forces of fascism and oppression (Spechler, 2019). The Soviet Union was seen as the leader of an international campaign to defeat fascism and its allies in Europe, and Soviet nationalism was explicitly championed in propaganda materials and messaging. The Soviet Union invasion by the Nazi in 1941 was perceived as a particularly heinous act of aggression. Its representation in Soviet propaganda was often hyperbolic and sensationalised. The Soviet Union was portrayed as a courageous victim of Nazi aggression that would rise and fight against its oppressors (Rosenhaft, 1983). USSR used images of victorious Red Army soldiers and Soviet citizens in uniform to create a sense of pride in being part of a great struggle against fascism (Shin, 2015). Other national themes in Soviet propaganda included glorifying labour and the communists' commitment to social justice and equality.
Russians employed propaganda posters depicting workers toiling in the fields and factories to highlight the importance of hard work and the collective spirit of the Russians. The Soviet Union often contrasted with the representations of Nazi Germany. The latter was often portrayed as an authoritarian regime with an oppressive and exploitative social structure (Woolston, 1932). The overarching theme of Soviet war propaganda was that USSR was fighting for a more significant cause and leading the international effort against fascism and its allies. Victory over the Nazis was considered a vindication of the Soviet Union's values of freedom, justice, and equality (Laruelle, 2021). This narrative was further reinforced by the depiction of the country's leaders, such as Joseph Stalin and other top communists, as wise and capable individuals who were leading the Soviet Union to victory.
Soviet Propaganda During the Second World War
Propaganda was crucial in maintaining the Soviet Union as a totalitarian state. It provided the ideological framework for the government's decisions, actions, and policies (Adler et al., 1970). The purpose of Soviet propaganda was to create a unified, collectivist society and suppress dissent. The propaganda took many forms, from posters to radio broadcasts. The former were the most common form of propaganda and often featured themes of national pride, patriotism, and loyalty to the Communist Party (Kenez, 1985). Posters promoted Soviet achievements in the industry, science, and the military and featured heavy doses of Soviet symbols such as the hammer and sickle. They aimed to give people something to aspire to and to demonstrate the superiority of the Soviet system. Radio broadcasts were another important form of propaganda. They were used to relay news and events from the Soviet Union and worldwide and to propagate the ideas of communism and the Soviet system.
Radio programmes often featured dramatic stories, such as tales of heroic deeds performed by Soviet citizens or stories of people overcoming hardships under comm...