The document summarizes Cold War propaganda in France after World War 2. It describes how the Marshall Plan helped rebuild Western Europe but was criticized by French communists as a way for the US to gain economic control. Propaganda posters from both sides of this issue are shown. The document also discusses later Cold War tensions in France in the 1950s-1980s, including divisions over capitalism vs communism and the Vietnam War. French citizens had varying views influenced by their exposure to American and Soviet media and politics during this era.

1. Reconstruction after WW2
thanks to the Marshall Plan
• Thanks to American help (Marshall plan),
West Europe has succeeded in rebuilding.
•
• This poster was made in 1950. It's named :
“By the Marshall plan, for a better way of
life.”
•
• On the picture, we can see a little bush
representing Europe, which was just rebuilt.
This bush is young and flowered. It's backed
by a stake representing the United States.
They help and support Europe with the
Marshall plan. This propaganda
advertisement is for the United States and
for the Marshall plan.

2. The Marshall Plan
• The United States
liberated Western
Europe from the
nazis. Then they
helped France to
recover: monnay,
food, raw
materials…

3. Against the Marshall Plan
• On the second picture, we can see an
octopus invading France with its
tentacles. The American flag is drawn
on its body and there are dollars in its
eyes. This octopus represents the
USA ; with the Marshall plan they want
to colonize France. French communists
think that the Marshall plan will help
the USA to have more and more
money. The slogan is : “the American
people in America !”.
• This propaganda advertisement is
against the Marshall plan. It was made
in 1947 by the French communist
party, very important after WW2.

4. Cold War propaganda in France
• France was part of the capitalist bloc. Many
American movies, songs could be seen or
listened to. But there were also French films
and songs, posters about Cold War.
• Some of these were pro capitalist. But in
France, the communist party was rather
strong in the 1950’ and some of the
propaganda was also anticapitalist.

5. • Anticommunist
propaganda
• There were many posters
against USSR. This poster
represents Joseph
Staline(JO-JO is a nickname
for Joseph) as a gangster.
He pretends to bring peace
but he waits in the shadow
armed and he is ready to
play a dirty trick

6. • There are less
anticapitalist
posters in France.
They were generally
created by the
French Communist
Party. There were
many against the
Vietnam war for
example.
Stop american agression.
Let Vietnam decide about their own
future

7. Two 1967 songs during the Vietnam
war
• Cuba si by Jean Ferrat
• It talks about an old black
man who was badly treated in
New York, but who was free
in Cuba and live for his ideas.
Les Ricains by Michel
Sardou
He says that once, the USA
have fought for us, have
liberated Frace from
Germany and we shan’t
forget it.

8. WHAT DO MY GRAND
PARENTS THINK ABOUT
COLD WAR?
• It was a conflict between two countries: USA
(capitalist) and URSS (communist).
• This situation was very hard and populations
were afraid of having a 3rd
War.
• There was no impact on everyday life.
• The communist system was very poorly looked
upon by a lot of people because with this system
there was no more freedom!

9. • Cuba crisis: they watched the news on TV
and were interested. Some know that the
media were partial.
• Prague’s Spring: My grand-father doesn't
remember anything! He was very busy at
this time, he didn't care about it. My grand-
mother was very shocked when she saw on
the newspaper the Soviet tanks going inside
Prague. It was the democracy crash and it
was difficult to see that.

10. • In the 80s people were fed up with the
Cold War and wanted peace, and no more
nuclear threat.
• But Ronald Reagan revives Cold War, and
amunition industry. There is a new fear in
Europe of a nuclear war. Many songs and
films talk about it, most of them american
popular songs.
• The image they give about USSR is that of
a cold, oppressive country.

11. Yvan Drago is compared to a
brainless robot. He feels
nothing even when he kills
Apollo Creed. His coaches
think in his place. He is
unbeattable. He trains with
a lot of sport machines,
drugs.
Rocky goes to Russia and
face Drago. For a
training, Rocky runs in
the snow, cuts and
throws wood compared
to Drago he looks
sensitive.
ROCKY’s fight for democracy!
The final speech
In here, there were two guys, killing each other. But I
guess that’s better than 20 million.
What I’m trying to say is, if I can change, then you can
change, everybody can change!

12. NIKITA
Elton John
"Nikita" is a song by English singer Elton John about the Cold War from his 1985 album Ice on Fire. In
the song, Elton John describes his crush on a beautiful East German border guard whom he cannot
meet because he is not allowed into the country.
« Oh I saw you by the wallTen of your tin soldiers in a rowWith eyes that looked like ice on fireThe
human heart a captive in the snow »

13. NENA « 99 LUFTBALLONS »
Gabriele Susanne Kerner (born 24 March 1960), better
known by her stage name Nena, is a Gabriele Susanne
Kerner (born 24 March 1960), better known by her stage
name Nena, is a German singer and actress. She ros to
international fame in 1983 with this New Wave song.
Auf ihrem Weg zum horizons
On their way to the horizon
Hielt man für UFO’s auf them All
Man thought there were UFO
Darum schickte ein General
That’s why a General sent
Ein Fliegerstaffel hinterher
Fighter squadrons after them