The "Red Iceberg"comic book advertisement clearly demonstrates a movement in the making. Though it may seem that the "Red Iceberg" comic book cover was a hasty retaliation against Russia during the Cold War, there is clear evidence to demonstrate that such propaganda was in fact a response to fear of Russian supremacy years in the making.
On October 5th, 1957, Russia was able to successfully launch a satellite into space. This event struck fear into the hearts of many Americans. Many Americans feared that if Russia was capable of successfully beating the U.S. in reaching space, there was nothing to say that the Russians would be able to succeed in demolishing U.S. democracy. In this way, the success of the first satellite symbolized Russia's true power as a nation, one that may even be capable to destroy the United States. On May 1, Soviets shot down an American U-2 recon jet flying over Soviet territory. Though U.S. was in the wrong in this situation for international spying, this event demonstrated that Russia was indeed a serious threat against the United States. In response to the fear of Russian communism, as instigated by events such as the the successful launching of the first satellite into space (by Russia) as well as the shooting down of the U-2 recon jet, propaganda such as the "The Red Iceberg" were publicized in order to warn Americans of the danger that Russia posed to U.S. democracy.
By Shaher Bano
You did a nice job discussing Russia and America's conflict. The background information for the comic book image was helpful, but it did not address why the other countries named on the cover were relevant.
ReplyDeleteI agree that more context given around the other things involved in the comic beyond the cold war is also important. Otherwise, I like the use of specific events involved, painting a very clear picture of the cold war.
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