Communist Propaganda at School: The World of the Reading Primers from the Soviet Bloc, 1949-1989

Communist Propaganda at School analyzes reading primers from the Soviet bloc and recreates the world as presented to the youngest schoolchildren between 1949 and 1989. The author argues that these textbooks were heavily laden with communist propaganda and share similar concepts, techniques, and contents, even if some national specificities can be observed. The book is based on the analysis of over sixty reading primers from nine countries and will be a valuable resource for academics studying propaganda, censorship, education, childhood, and everyday life under communism in Eastern and Central Europe.

Format: Hardback
Length: 154 pages
Publication date: 11 May 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Communist Propaganda at School is a comprehensive analysis of reading primers from the Soviet bloc, encompassing nine Eastern European countries. The author delves into the content of these textbooks, from their first to last pages, and argues that they were heavily laden with communist propaganda. Despite some national specificities, the author suggests that these textbooks share similar concepts, techniques, and even contents.

This volume aims to reconstruct the image of the world presented to schoolchildren in their early education. The author argues that this image was charged with communist propaganda, shaping their understanding of the world and influencing their political beliefs.

The book is based on a meticulous analysis of over sixty reading primers from nine countries of the Soviet bloc: Albania, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, the German Democratic Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, the Soviet Union, and Yugoslavia. These primers were used in schools during the period from 1949 to 1989, when the communist regime was in power.

Written in a simple and straightforward manner, this book is intended for a wide audience. It will be valuable to international academics studying propaganda, censorship, education, childhood, and everyday life under communism in Eastern and Central Europe. It will also be of interest to academics studying education under communism or the content of primary education. Furthermore, the book offers valuable insights into educational experiences in the Soviet bloc, particularly for researchers interested in education under totalitarian and authoritarian regimes.

The author's approach is insightful, and the book provides a wealth of information and analysis. It sheds light on the ways in which the communist regime attempted to control and manipulate the minds of young students, shaping their understanding of the world and influencing their political beliefs. The book is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to understand the impact of communist propaganda on education and society.

Weight: 388g
Dimension: 162 x 240 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367740634