Chapter 4
In: Politics and the Media in Poland from the 19th to the 21st Centuries
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Abstract
Scientific objective: The aim of the article is to analyse the process behind mythologizing the enemy in Polish Communist propaganda under Stalinism in the period 1949–1954.
Research methods: In the undertaken research, qualitative content analysis is used.
Results and conclusions: The images created of the enemies by the Communist authorities can be divided into two groups - internal and external enemies. The first group included a certain image of the military and political resistance movement, the authorities of the legitimate Polish Underground State, rich landowners, the Catholic Church, proponents of a right-wing, nationalistic agenda, saboteurs, spies, and speculators, while the second grouped such external enemies as Western countries (especially the US and the Federal Republic of Germany) or emigres promoting Polish independence. Spreading the belief that there was a threat from a real or imaginary enemy had several functions: legitimizing the Communist regime, channelling social discontent, uniting and mobilizing society.
Cognitive value: These images of the enemy that Stalinist propaganda tried to mythologize were not internalized by a significant portion of Polish society.