Question by Joey G: How did the propaganda department of Stalin’s government influence Stalin’s rise to power?
I am referring to how Squealer in the book Animal Farm is supposed to represent the propaganda department of Stalin’s government and he helped Napoleon rise to power.
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Answer by Kaitlyn
When people hear about a cause they support then they are likely to aid the cause. By telling people about the cause and spreading it around you are going to get more supporters. You cannot aid a cause without knowing about it. Correct?
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Spellbound says
Squealer is supposed to represent a mix of Molotov and propaganda.
Molotov was Stalin's most loyal aide. he could be relied upon by Stalin to berate opponents, to argue Stalin's cause or to back him when others were wavering.
In the early days of the Revolution an organisation called Proletkult was set up to provide funding for artists and to make art for the workers not for the wealthy: It was organised by Agitprop – the Agitation and Propaganda department. These organisation made or commissioned posters, films, pamphlets and plays to explain and to educate the people about the revolution.
In truth, propaganda did not play a significant part in Stalin's rise to power. Propaganda is aimed at the people to tell them how to think, not how to act, and the people had no say in who was running the country; the decision was made by the Politburo – the highest organ of the Party.
This is why Orwell uses the character of Squealer. He represents the fiercely loyal Molotov, working for Stalin within the Politburo and the way that propaganda was used to tell people what was happening and who was in charge.