After the 1917 October Revolution in Russia, most Americans viewed Communism as a threat to the Western democracies. Communist rhetoric envisioning the overthrow of capitalism was common in Depression-era America. Before WWII, both American and Soviet propaganda.viewed the other side’s system of government as evil.
However, joining forces with the USSR to defeat the Axis powers in WWII caused a change in American propaganda that portrayed a heroic image of communists fighting Fascism as depicted in the Hollywood film The North Star.
When the war ended in 1945, American warmth toward the Soviet Union soon faded and Communists throughout the world were again seen as an evil force.
So glad you’re back to chronicle the 20th century. I have always been fascinated by the way the US and Stalinist Russia were able to cooperate versus Hitler. It could have gone the other way—I wonder if Russia would be interfering in our elections in THAT alternate universe!
Yes – if Hitler hadn’t foolishly invaded Russia in 1941, who knows how it would have gone.