The Cold War began in 1945 with the end of WWII and ended 44 years later with the fall of the Berlin Wall. The Cold War was fought on many fronts, none of which included an actual battlefield. The main players in the Cold War were the United States promoting a Free Market Economy (laissez-faire capitalism) Capitalist Society and on the opposing Communist Socialist side were the Former USSR (Russia / Soviet Union), Nazi Germany, Chain, Korea, and other minor Asian & Eastern European countries. The four main battlegrounds for the war were, The Arms Race (Military Power), The Space Race, Political (ideological), & Economical. The Arms Race & Space Race players were mainly the US and the USSR, as both frantically tried to reach the moon first and produce the worlds first Nuclear and Atomic Bombs flagrantly spending large portions of their governmental budgets on building preventative military forces. The Political or Ideological battle was fought with spies and diplomats alike, but the main battlefront was newspapers, TV, and radio headlines laden thick with propaganda and biased media reports. The economical battle was fought on the playing fields of international trade with tariffs, sanctions, and trade embargoes.Topics on this DVD include: Cold War Economics, Theory Of Capitalism / Benefits Of Capitalism, Capitalism vs. Communist Economies, Free Market Economics (laissez-faire), International Trade, Cold War Trade Embargoes, Cold War Tariffs, Sanctions, Distribution of Wealth
Included Films:
Story of Enterprise
Story of Enterprise
Produced: 1955
Length: 12 Minutes
Story of Enterprise is an exceptionally made capitalist propaganda film from the 1950s. Though unabashed propaganda, the film is based on the true success story of Thomas A. Carvelas, who went from ice cream stand owner to multimillionaire corporate head. Humanizing the advantages of capitalism with honesty and zeal, the film successfully glorifies the system of commerce that has been such a focal point in American history. Quintessentially 50s, American, and uplifting, Story of Enterprise is an enjoyable riff on the American Dream.
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America’s Distribution of Wealth
Produced: 1955
Length: 12 Minutes
This is an incredible vintage film that features a Harding College economics professor arguing that capitalism doesnt produce a class divided society – in fact, wealth is equitably distributed! This firmly anti-Communist video uses charts, animation, and powerful rhetoric to hammer down its points in favor of capitalism. There are many antiquated statements that simply could not be made today; for instance, profit motive is wholesome and good…wholly compatible with Gods law. This Christianizing of capitalism was a hallmark of 1950s conservative politics. This film is an enriching viewing experience as a historical document and intellectually relevant to todays economic conversations as well.
Capitalism
Capitalism
Produced: 1948
Length: 9 Minutes
This quintessentially post World War II film encourages Americas youth to talk and think about capitalism. A group of kids are in a studio doing the Western High School Radio Forum and they begin to talk about the weenies they bought from the local butcher for their school picnic. This sparks a discussion of who profits by a sale made in a free-enterprise economy. There are no derogatory references to commies, as there were in other films of this nature, but it credits capitalism for giving the kids the freedom to make up their own minds about the topic. The film states, It is for you to develop conclusions as to what capitalism means by considering the material presented here, by further study in other sources, and by discussing your own opinions. For all its even handedness, however, it is still a propaganda film, and the teens inevitably make favorable comments on how well capitalism seems to be working in America. We needed weenies. Mr. Brown had weenies. Its as simple as that, says one teen, just think of all the others who made a profit on those weenies. The film manages to provide plenty of good information while never veering from its wholesome underpinnings.
A Look At Capitalism
A Look At Capitalism
Produced: 1955
Length: 13 Minutes
In this vintage 1950s film, university professor Clifton L. Ganus leads a classroom discussion to instill the values and importance of capitalism to his students. Dr. Ganus explains to his students that capitalism is a system where capital, items such as raw materials, energy, machinery, etc, are used to produce sales or new wealth. There are three pillars that make capitalism a unique system. The private ownership of property is a fundamental element to capitalism. Profit motive is also a key part. Lastly there is the open market principle which means that any one can sell items. The film continues to expound upon the virtues of capitalism. These factors make capitalism the best system for America. It allows American workers to earn more in a day than their counterparts abroad and also live at a higher standard. The key to ensuring the continued success of capitalism is in educating the American people of its importance. The film is informative but largely one sided, making it useful to learn about unilateral 1950s mainstream values.
Opportunities Unlimited
Opportunities Unlimited
Produced: 1950s
Length: 16 Minutes
This amusingly overoptimistic film, Opportunities Unlimited, paints Americas prosperity of the 50s as the pinnacle of society. Most interestingly, the rise o the middle class and the baby boom is thoroughly discussed in the rosiest of references. Statistics, evidence, and platitudes are all employed to make the case that America will continue to spend spend spend – to the salvation of all! Entitlement programs for the poor were not seen as a drain on society but a symbol of Americas success. The film uses a mixture of animation (generally for statistics and other abstractions), as well as wonderful shots of mid twentieth century America. Overall, Opportunities Unlimited fascinatingly captures the essence of the post World War II United States.
Pursuit Of Profit
Pursuit Of Profit
Produced: 1965
Length: 23 Minutes
A riotous vintage film! The Pursuit of Profit is one of the most enjoyable capitalist propaganda movies ever made. From the creepy narrator (Twilight Zone-esque) to the obsession with free enterprise, to the absurd promotion of a unquestioning, unfulfilling love for an employees cold hearted corporation. Produced by corporate giants Proctor and Gamble, the film makes a powerful propaganda pitch in favor of materialistic values and selfishness – as well as fear of ones employer. Bizarrely produced with outrageous assertions assaulting the audience, The Pursuit of Profit is a phenomenal free enterprise film.
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The Secret Of American Production
The Secret Of American Production
Produced: 1955
Length: 13 Minutes
This is a video of a touchstone boastful 1950s lecture on America and what a great nation it is. During the cold war, propaganda of this type was common and this is a superb example. For instance, the professor explains that the three foundations of American success are faith in God, a constitutional government, and capitalism. Dr. Ganus further explains how these three ideals are shown in American values. The film focuses on freedom. Americans who have the freedom to work in a profession of their choosing are better for it. Many citizens of other nations are not allowed such a privilege. Freedom to dream allows Americans to reach their full potential and happiness. This film, which borders on xenophobia and jingoism, is the perfect example of mainstream 1950s values that promote an idealized, heterogenous America.
What Is Business?
What Is Business?
Produced: 1948
Length: 9 Minutes
This capitalist propaganda film uses everyday objects around the home to demonstrate our reliance on business for our way of life. While the camera pans over a scene of a family having breakfast, a narrator tells us that without business, Mother wouldnt have her pen, there would not be bread, nor a toaster in which to brown it. According to the film, three forms of business: production, distribution, and service, are the most efficient ways to meet demand for these necessary items. Most powerfully, the film insists that business is the way to salvation in American life. Business is credited with helping to fulfill our desires for a better way of life. Such language is not unique to the 1950s, but never before had it been said with such fervor.
Why Kill The Goose
Why Kill The Goose
Produced: 1955
Length: 11 Minutes
This 1950s pro-America film expounds on the virtues of the free market system and capitalism. It goes into how profits, even if small, lead to research and new designs, which yield increased productivity for American industry, which in turn brings in higher profits. The film argues an ever-increasing engine of technological advancement is all fueled by profits, which would not be possible under another economic system. The film is impressive for its powerful rhetoric and entertaining speaker.
Your Town: A Story Of America
Your Town: A Story Of America
Produced: 1940
Length: 10 Minutes
This absurdly pro-business film tells the story of a young man who learns a lesson about capitalism and how his town is dependent upon its factories for their way of life. Young Jerry happens upon a labor uprising outside one of the factories in his town and is seduced by the crowd and the fiery speaker. He is about to join in the mob violence when he is plucked from the melee by a policeman who knows his grandfather. The cop takes him home and his grandfather, who remembers the town back when it was a vacant lot, tells Jerry the story of how the Manson company built their town. He talks about how he witnessed the construction of the factory, then the town itself, which clustered around the factory. He tells Jerry about how every man, woman, and child born in the town has a stake in the factory, because of how it supplies jobs and taxes to the towns economy. The film is a product of a nation terrified by communism, World War II, and economic hardship. The harshly anti-union and pro-American overtones in the film are nothing short of astonishing.
