skip to page content | skip to main navigation

Printer-Friendly

Germanic Collections

Homepage

History: GDR Poster Art

GDR Poster Art and Chile

GDR Poster Art and Nicaragua

GDR Poster Art and other Latin American Countries

GDR Poster Art and other Developing Nations

Anti-USA Posters

Mario Benedetti commented in a 1992 interview that "Latin America" as a unified political entity is a concept which was developed by the United States; the unity of Latin America (if there is one) comes primarily from the concept of a common enemy, which is the United States, he says. The history of US intervention in Latin America is long, marked by wars, economic conflicts and social contradictions, a history of conflict begun with the Monroe Doctrine and the Manifest Destiny of the 19th century. In making these posters, the East German government took advantage of this century old common enemy, which they now shared. The posters feature many images expressing anti-United States sentiment, denouncing Regan's Cold War foreign policy, the role of the CIA in the 1973 coup in Chile and many others. The common theme expressed in these posters is of an underhanded and secretive US government, often disgused as foreign armies or multi-national corporations, trying to have its way in Latin America.

"Expansionist Interests! Not Security Interests!"

Graphic Workstation A (1981)

This propaganda poster has two sections. On the left, there are pictures of hard-working East German citizens in the military, in the home, and in the workplace. On the right, there is a map with large arrows pointing from the USA to all the countries into whose affairs the US Government has intervened.

"Who Plays with Fire..."

Ludwig Winkler (1984)

This poster also exemplifies the East German government's notion that the United States participates in foreign affairs which it should not.

"USA-Imperialism: Danger for Peace"

Horst Aldus (1982)

The maps depict US military strategies, and the pictures are of US military equipment including fighter planes, aircraft carriers and submarines. The captions denounce US imperialism.

"The World According to Ronald Reagan"

The map depicts a Latin American view of Reagan's foreign policy during the Cold War. Notice the exaggerated size of the Soviet Union and United States, and the size given to other countries in the world. Also keep in mind the symbolic colors used by the artist.

"'In our hands, God has put the destiny of a troubled humanity.' -- US President Reagan"

Alexander Schiel (1983)

Notice that the skeleton is draped in an American flag, and is holding a missile.

"Test Stop"

Klaus Parche (1986)

In this poster, the Statue of Liberty is setting off a nuclear bomb onto the Earth. LIke the other anti-US posters, this one portrays the United States' foreign policy and defense strategy in an extremely negative light.