Propaganda and persuasion : the Cold War and the Canadian-Soviet Friendship Society

During the early Cold War, thousands of Canadians attended events organized by the Canadian-Soviet Friendship Society (CSFS) and subscribed to its publications. The CSFS aimed its message at progressive Canadians, hoping to convince them that the USSR was an egalitarian and enlightened state. Attempting to soften, define and redirect the antagonistic narratives of the day, the CSFS story is one of propaganda and persuasion in Cold War Canada. The CSFS was linked to other groups on the Canadian political left and was consistently lead by Canadian communists. For many years, its leader and best known member was the enigmatic Dyson Carter. Raised in a religious family and educated as a scientist, Carter was a prolific author of both popular scientific and pro-Soviet books, and for many years was the editor of the CSFS’s magazine, "Northern Neighbours". Subtitled “Canada’s Authoritative Independent Magazine Reporting on the U.S.S.R.” the magazine featured glossy photo spreads of life in the Soviet Union and upbeat articles on science, medicine,cultural life, and visits to the USSR by Canadians. At the height of the Cold War, Carter claimed the magazine reached 10,000 subscribers across Canada. Using previously unavailable archival sources and oral histories, "Propaganda and Persuasion" looks at the CSFS as a blend of social and political activism, where gender, class, and ethnicity linked communities, and ideology had significance. During The Early Cold War, Thousands Of Canadians Attended Events Organized By The Canadian-soviet Friendship Society (csfs) And Subscribed To Its Publications. The Csfs Aimed Its Message At Progressive Canadians, Hoping To Convince Them That The Ussr Was An Egalitarian And Enlightened State. Attempting To Soften, Define And Redirect The Antagonistic Narratives Of The Day, The Csfs Story Is One Of Propaganda And Persuasion In Cold War Canada. The Csfs Was Linked To Other Groups On The Canadian Political Left And Was Consistently Lead By Canadian Communists. For Many Years, Its Leader And Best Known Member Was The Enigmatic Dyson Carter. Raised In A Religious Family And Educated As A Scientist, Carter Was A Prolific Author Of Both Popular Scientific And Pro-soviet Books, And For Many Years Was The Editor Of The Csfs's Magazine, Northern Neighbours. Subitlted Canada's Authorative Independent Magazine Reporting On The U.s.s.r. The Magazine Featured Glossy Photo Spreads Of Life In The Soviet Union And Upbeat Articles On Science, Medicine, Cultural Life, And Visits To The Ussr By Canadians. At The Height Of The Cold War, Carter Claimed The Magazine Reached 10,000 Subscribers Across Canada. Using Previously Unavailable Archival Sources And Oral Histories, Propaganda And Persuasion Looks At The Csfs As A Blend Of Social And Political Activism, Where Gender, Class, And Ethnicity Linked Communities, And Ideology Had Significance.-- Introduction -- Who's Who Of The Canadian-soviet Friendship Society -- Setting The Stage : The Soviet Friendship Phenomenon, 1917-49 -- Institutionalizing Friendship : The All-union Society For Cultural Relations With Foreign Countries -- The Pro-soviet Message : Dyson Carter And The Csfs Literature And Photographs -- Polishing The Soviet Image : The Csfs And Progressive Ethnic Groups -- The Pink Tea Circuit Or Dreams Of Equality? Women And The Csfs -- Culture As Political Persuasion : Performing Soviet Friendship -- Conclusion. Jennifer Anderson. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. "During the early Cold War, thousands of Canadians attended events organized by the Canadian-Soviet Friendship Society (CSFS) and subscribed to its publications. The CSFS aimed its message at progressive Canadians, hoping to convince them that the USSR was an egalitarian and enlightened state. Attempting to soften, define and redirect the antagonistic narratives of the day, the CSFS story is one of propaganda and persuasion in Cold War Canada. The CSFS was linked to other groups on the Canadian political left and was consistently lead by Canadian communists. For many years, its leader and best known member was the enigmatic Dyson Carter. Raised in a religious family and educated as a scientist, Carter was a prolific author of both popular scientific and pro-Soviet books, and for many years was the editor of the CSFS's magazine, "Northern Neighbours." Subitlted "Canada's Authorative Independent Magazine Reporting on the U.S.S.R." the magazine featured glossy photo spreads of life in the Soviet Union and upbeat articles on science, medicine, cultural life, and visits to the USSR by Canadians. At the height of the Cold War, Carter claimed the magazine reached 10,000 subscribers across Canada. Using previously unavailable archival sources and oral histories, "Propaganda and Persuasion" looks at the CSFS as a blend of social and political activism, where gender, class, and ethnicity linked communities, and ideology had significance."-- Résumé de l'éditeur "During the early Cold War, thousands of Canadians attended events organized by the Canadian-Soviet Friendship Society (CSFS) and subscribed to its publications. The CSFS aimed its message at progressive Canadians, hoping to convince them that the USSR was an egalitarian and enlightened state. Attempting to soften, define and redirect the antagonistic narratives of the day, the CSFS story is one of propaganda and persuasion in Cold War Canada. The CSFS was linked to other groups on the Canadian political left and was consistently lead by Canadian communists. For many years, its leader and best known member was the enigmatic Dyson Carter. Raised in a religious family and educated as a scientist, Carter was a prolific author of both popular scientific and pro-Soviet books, and for many years was the editor of the CSFS's magazine, "Northern Neighbours." Subitlted "Canada's Authorative Independent Magazine Reporting on the U.S.S.R." the magazine featured glossy photo spreads of life in the Soviet Union and upbeat articles on science, medicine, cultural life, and visits to the USSR by Canadians. At the height of the Cold War, Carter claimed the magazine reached 10,000 subscribers across Canada. Using previously unavailable archival sources and oral histories, "Propaganda and Persuasion" looks at the CSFS as a blend of social and political activism, where gender, class, and ethnicity linked communities, and ideology had significance."-- Provided by publisher

During the early Cold War, thousands of Canadians attended events organized by the Canadian-Soviet Friendship Society (CSFS) and subscribed to its publications. The CSFS aimed its message at progressive Canadians, hoping to convince them that the USSR was an egalitarian and enlightened state. Attempting to soften, define and redirect the antagonistic narratives of the day, the CSFS story is one of propaganda and persuasion in Cold War Canada.The CSFS was linked to other groups on the Canadian political left and was consistently lead by Canadian communists. For many years, its leader and best known member was the enigmatic Dyson Carter. Raised in a religious family and educated as a scientist, Carter was a prolific author of both popular scientific and pro-Soviet books, and for many years was the editor of the CSFS's magazine, "Northern Neighbours". Subtitled "Canada's Authoritative Independent Magazine Reporting on the U.S.S.R." the magazine featured glossy photo spreads of life in the Soviet Union and upbeat articles on science, medicine, cultural life, and visits to the USSR by Canadians. At the height of the Cold War, Carter claimed the magazine reached 10, 000 subscribers across Canada.Using previously unavailable archival sources and oral histories, "Propaganda and Persuasion" looks at the CSFS as a blend of social and political activism, where gender, class, and ethnicity linked communities, and ideology had significance.

Cover Contents Illustrations Abbreviations Acknowledgements Introduction Chapter 1: Who’s Who of the Canadian-Soviet Friendship Society Chapter 2: Setting the Stage: The Soviet Friendship Phenomenon, 1917–49 Chapter 3: Institutionalizing Friendship: The All-Union Society for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries Chapter 4: The Pro-Soviet Message: Dyson Carter and the CSFS Literature and Photographs Chapter 5: Polishing the Soviet Image: The CSFS and Progressive Ethnic Groups Chapter 6: The “Pink Tea Circuit” or “Dreams of Equality”? Women and the CSFS Chapter 7: Culture as Political Persuasion: Performing Soviet Friendship Conclusion Notes Selected Bibliography Index During the early Cold War, thousands of Canadians attended events organised by the Canadian-Soviet Friendship Society (CSFS) and subscribed to its publications. Using archival sources and oral histories, Propaganda and Persuasion looks at the CSFS as a blend of social and political activism, where gender, class and ethnicity linked communities, and ideology had significance.