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Germanic Collections


Homepage History: GDR Poster Art GDR Poster Art and Chile GDR Poster Art and Nicaragua GDR Poster Art and other Latin American Countries GDR Poster Art and other Developing Nations Anti-USA Posters

"I believe in Chile and its future!"

I. Jann? (1974?)
Like the vast majority of the other posters displayed in this exhibit, this one was commissioned by the "Solidaritaetskomitee der DDR" (GDR Solidarity Committee) to encourage East German citizens to dontate to the "Konto 444," a specific bank account whose proceeds would help Latin America in its struggle towards democracy. Salvador Allende is depicted as triumphant, surrounded by four individuals.


Allende was elected on Sept. 4, 1970, becoming the first communist president to be elected democratically, earning 36.3% of the vote, more than the opposing candidates, right-wing Alessandri (34.9%) and Tomic (27.8%), of the moderate Christian Democrats. But it was clearly not enough to have won a majority of support. While President, Allende proposed himself a difficult task: he wanted to implement socialism in Chile, but slowly, and by legal means.

He began nationalizing copper mines (which received unanimous congressional approval) and nationalizing other industries such as steel and coal, and a majority of private banks. Foreign companies, especially from the United States were a frequent target of nationalization measures. The International Telephone and Telegraph Company (ITT) was one of the victims. The other economic measures implemented eventually led to the economic crisis behind the political one of 1973. The price freezes and wage increases led to a freeze in production orders due to fears of inflation, which brought about shortages and encouraged the development of black markets for what products the people could get.

Chileans today tell of days spent waiting in lines to buy kerosene for heating in the winter of 1973. By January of this year inflation had reached 150%. Economic troubles and lack of economic support from other socialist governments, led to political turmoil. A strike by the copper workers in April 1973 sparked strikes by groups such as lawyers, physicians and architects and led the forming of middle class resistance to Allende's government. These groups formed a multi-class resistance movement along with the upper classes and private property owners. Protests increased, and weakness within the Popular Unity government due to pressure from radical factions to rule by decree, led to Allende's weakening hold on power. (The Popular Unity party was a coalition of several leftist parties, including the Socialist Party, the Communist Party, and the party of the Popular Action Front. Some of Allende's advisors wanted more drastic action, rather than the slow transition favored by Allende.)

The expansion of communism in the Americas was closely watched by Castro, the Soviet Union, and U.S. interests in Latin America. The CIA is largely credited with engineering the coup, with its funds, military support and political influence in the guise of large corporations. The economic policies of Allende were all the proof it needed to justify intervention in Chile.


"These are my last words..."


This poster depicts Allende's famous last speech to the people of Chile from the balcony of the Palacio de la Moneda, the Presidential Palace in Santiago. He stood on the balcony as the FACH (Air Force of Chile) bombed the palace. He died in the palace, the cause of which is highly controversial. Some say Allende committed suicide by not leaving the palace when offered the chance to go into exile. Others say that he was murdered. Allende had chosen to stay in the palace and fight for his country as a soldier would.

"We will triumph"

Jutta Damm and Jochen Fielder (1974)
The solidarity "S" expresses support for Salvador Allende, pictured at the top of the "s." This poster shows support for his Popular Unity government, with the red star of communism in the background.

"Dr. Salvador Allende: "Drink now! If the 'gringos' don't cash in anymore, you can grow big and strong!"


Heinz Behling
Allende feeds the Chilean people, represented here by a boy wearing a hat wrapped with the Chilean flag, with government-subsidized fresh milk.

Homepage History: GDR Poster Art GDR Poster Art and Chile GDR Poster Art and Nicaragua GDR Poster Art and other Latin American Countries GDR Poster Art and other Developing Nations Anti-USA Posters

 

 

Last modified: June 27, 2005

     
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