Knowledge will break the chains of slavery. (Radakov A.) Soviet Posters (1917-1941)

This is a Soviet-era propaganda poster titled Knowledge will break the chains of slavery. It depicts a tall stack of books, bound by heavy chains. A hand is shown above the books, holding a quill and dipping it into an inkwell, seemingly preparing to write.

In the background, silhouetted against a dramatic, dark sky, are factory buildings with smokestacks, representing industry and possibly the oppressive working conditions associated with it. The chains are physically connected to the stack of books, and the book stack itself appears to be part of a larger structure, suggesting that knowledge is the force that will liberate individuals from these bonds.

The subtext is clear:

• The Power of Education: The central image of books emphasizes that knowledge, learning, and intellectual pursuits are the key to overcoming oppression and achieving freedom.
• Breaking from Oppression: The chains are a direct metaphor for slavery, bondage, or any form of control and subjugation. The act of the hand preparing to write, combined with the title, suggests that literacy and intellectual engagement are the tools to break these chains.
• Industrialization and Labor: The factory silhouettes in the background hint at the societal context, likely the industrial working class who were often subjected to harsh labor conditions. The poster positions knowledge as a path to liberation for these workers.
• The Future is Intellectual: The dark, turbulent sky could symbolize the difficult times or the oppressive systems in place, while the bright orange background on which the books are placed can be interpreted as hope or the promise of a brighter future achieved through knowledge.

Overall, the poster is a powerful call to embrace education as the ultimate means of achieving freedom and overcoming societal oppression, particularly in the context of the early Soviet Union.