La pelle de Stockholm pour enterrer nos libertés - Paix et liberté Circa 1950

The circa 1950 original poster titled La Pelle de Stockholm pour Enterrer Nos Libertés was created by the French artist Michat during the early Cold War era. This poster is closely associated with the Paix et Liberté movement, an influential anti-communist organization in France. It was produced at a time when political tensions between the Western democracies and the Soviet Union were escalating, reflecting the ideological struggles of the period.

The poster's message centers on the political reality of post-World War II Europe, particularly focusing on the nations of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, Poland, and Czechoslovakia. These countries, once independent, had been absorbed into the Soviet sphere of influence, losing their political autonomy and freedoms as they were integrated into the Eastern Bloc. The poster highlights this loss of liberty, raising awareness of the broader struggle against Soviet dominance in Europe.

The reference to "La Pelle de Stockholm" alludes to the "Stockholm Appeal", a 1950 initiative aimed at banning nuclear weapons. Supported by the World Peace Council, an organization often viewed as aligned with Soviet interests, the appeal was seen by anti-communist groups like Paix et Liberté as part of a broader Soviet strategy to undermine Western power. The title of the poster suggests that the appeal was being used as a tool to metaphorically "bury" the freedoms of nations that had fallen under Soviet control.

Paix et Liberté, founded in 1950 by Jean-Paul David, aimed to counter communist influence in France and Europe. Through posters like this one, the organization sought to warn the public about the dangers of Soviet expansionism and the loss of personal and political freedoms in communist-controlled states. Michat’s work contributed to this larger effort by communicating these concerns in a way that resonated with the anxieties of the time.

The circa 1950 poster La Pelle de Stockholm pour Enterrer Nos Libertés is an important historical document from the early Cold War period, reflecting the ideological battles that shaped post-war Europe. It remains significant for its connection to the Paix et Liberté movement and its role in promoting awareness of the impact of Soviet control on Eastern European nations.

Original Poster

Politics - Propaganda

Estonia Latvia Lithuania Hungary Bulgaria Romania Poland Czechoslovakia

Good condition, creases