This subreddit is for sharing propaganda to view with objectivity. It is absolutely not for perpetuating the message of the propaganda. Here we should be conscientious and wary of manipulation/distortion/oversimplification (which the above likely has), not duped by it. "Don't be a sucker."
Stay on topic -- there are hundreds of other subreddits that are expressly dedicated to rehashing tired political arguments. No partisan bickering. No soapboxing. Take a chill pill. "Don't argue."
French writer and Nobel Prize winner André Gide, who wrote in his diary, “In my heart, temperament, and thoughts, I have always been a communist,” repeatedly spoke out in support of the USSR, where he was counted among the many “friends of the USSR” at the time.
After visiting the USSR in 1936, he wrote: "They want and demand only approval for everything that happens in the USSR. They try to ensure that this approval is not forced, but voluntary and sincere, that it is even expressed with enthusiasm. And the most striking thing is that they achieve this. The slightest protest, the slightest criticism can bring about the worst punishments; they are immediately suppressed. And I do not think that in any other country today, not even in Hitler's Germany, would consciousness be so unfree, so oppressed, so intimidated (terrorized), so enslaved."
The writer's name was banned in the USSR, and his books were not published until perestroika.
It's amazing how many smart, educated people have no understanding of history. My apologies that the country that overthrew a brutal Tsar two decades before and has spent the intervening years engaged in civil war and then trying to rapidly industrialize their agrarian country for a bigger war they know is coming hasn't also liberalized to your French metropolitan standards, Comrade Gide. Clearly, worse than Hitler.
In 1934, for the first time since the October Revolution, the Soviet Union opened its borders to foreign tourists. Everyday life, especially in Ukraine, remained extremely harsh. Precisely for that reason, the authorities prepared for the reception of foreigners with exceptional care.
The best hotels and restaurants that had survived from the tsarist era underwent major renovations. High quality tableware, bed linens, and dishes were stockpiled, kitchens were modernized, and refrigeration equipment was installed. Expensive carpets covered the lobby floors, and antique furniture was carefully arranged throughout. Skilled chefs, waiters, and doormen were recruited, all dressed in specially tailored uniforms. Elegantly designed hotel kiosks were filled with imported goods. Special attention was paid to recruiting the most attractive young women as sales staff. Passenger cars and open top buses fitted with canvas roofs for rainy weather were purchased in the United States and Italy.
On top of everything else, travel to the Soviet Union at the time was remarkably inexpensive. For one hundred dollars, a visitor could spend an entire week in Kyiv, Moscow, and Leningrad, with full board and activities included.
More trying to get foreign currency and convince westerners of the benefits of communism.
Intourist existed for most of the Soviet period - obviously not operating during WW2. From what I gather, their tours were consistently rated pretty poorly by tourists.
Sounds like an overall mediocre experience where Western tourists were shuttled between highly choreographed scheduled visits without the ability to see anything interesting or interact with the locals.
Although I'd expect Heinlein to be one of the least impartial people around when it comes to the Soviet Union, seeing as he leaned towards some pretty questionable right wing views himself
The USSR looked very appealing compared to conditions in the West during the depths of the Great Depression. The rapid industrialization of the First and Second Five-Year Plans was a real draw for unemployed European and North American factory workers. LIFE Magazine's inaugural issue in 1936 included a remarkable set of photographs from Margaret Bourke-White extolling Soviet success (and LIFE was published by Henry Luce, a staunch anti-communist).
In Kyiv, Intourist ran a luxurious hotel just steps from Khreshchatyk. On the Dnipro River, its guests were entertained aboard a gleaming white motor yacht, featuring a bar stocked with an impressive array of drinks.
Prepare your palette for our exquisite nothing-you-can-eat buffet, truly a marvel of Socialist ingenuity.
Foreign tourists and dignitaries in the USSR were treated to exceptional hospitality, with every effort made to ensure they were both well fed and thoroughly entertained. Lavish meals prepared by skilled chefs, elegant accommodations, and carefully planned cultural and recreational activities showcased the country’s finest offerings. From exquisite dining experiences to guided tours of major cities and scenic excursions, no detail was overlooked in presenting the Soviet Union as a welcoming and sophisticated destination.
Controlling for inflation, that's $117 for 3rd class ($5), $187 for tourist class ($8), and $350 1st class ($15). According to the Census, the average US worker in 1936 earned $4-$5 per day.
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Stay on topic -- there are hundreds of other subreddits that are expressly dedicated to rehashing tired political arguments. No partisan bickering. No soapboxing. Take a chill pill. "Don't argue."
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French writer and Nobel Prize winner André Gide, who wrote in his diary, “In my heart, temperament, and thoughts, I have always been a communist,” repeatedly spoke out in support of the USSR, where he was counted among the many “friends of the USSR” at the time.
After visiting the USSR in 1936, he wrote: "They want and demand only approval for everything that happens in the USSR. They try to ensure that this approval is not forced, but voluntary and sincere, that it is even expressed with enthusiasm. And the most striking thing is that they achieve this. The slightest protest, the slightest criticism can bring about the worst punishments; they are immediately suppressed. And I do not think that in any other country today, not even in Hitler's Germany, would consciousness be so unfree, so oppressed, so intimidated (terrorized), so enslaved."
The writer's name was banned in the USSR, and his books were not published until perestroika.
Kudos to this man for changing his views when faced with reality. That is a difficult thing for people to do on both sides of the spectrum.
Yeah, it's heartbreaking to be an idealist and see idealism crushed underfoot by the realities of totalitarianism.
It's amazing how many smart, educated people have no understanding of history. My apologies that the country that overthrew a brutal Tsar two decades before and has spent the intervening years engaged in civil war and then trying to rapidly industrialize their agrarian country for a bigger war they know is coming hasn't also liberalized to your French metropolitan standards, Comrade Gide. Clearly, worse than Hitler.
What a prick.
Yeah.
Cant put up with all the prison camps in Siberia and the secret police purging everyone they don’t like.
What a prick.
He might have had issues with cult of personnality, among others.
First class travel to Stalin era USSR?
The Soviet Union was started to getting recognized internationally back then.
The USSR could be ideologically pragmatic when it came to acquiring hard currency.
In 1934, for the first time since the October Revolution, the Soviet Union opened its borders to foreign tourists. Everyday life, especially in Ukraine, remained extremely harsh. Precisely for that reason, the authorities prepared for the reception of foreigners with exceptional care.
The best hotels and restaurants that had survived from the tsarist era underwent major renovations. High quality tableware, bed linens, and dishes were stockpiled, kitchens were modernized, and refrigeration equipment was installed. Expensive carpets covered the lobby floors, and antique furniture was carefully arranged throughout. Skilled chefs, waiters, and doormen were recruited, all dressed in specially tailored uniforms. Elegantly designed hotel kiosks were filled with imported goods. Special attention was paid to recruiting the most attractive young women as sales staff. Passenger cars and open top buses fitted with canvas roofs for rainy weather were purchased in the United States and Italy.
On top of everything else, travel to the Soviet Union at the time was remarkably inexpensive. For one hundred dollars, a visitor could spend an entire week in Kyiv, Moscow, and Leningrad, with full board and activities included.
Good book about the fates of Americans suckered into moving to the USSR in this time.
https://a.co/d/eRSQvp6
That photo looks like it's from the 60's
I guess this was during the time when we were trying to promote unity. The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
More trying to get foreign currency and convince westerners of the benefits of communism.
Intourist existed for most of the Soviet period - obviously not operating during WW2. From what I gather, their tours were consistently rated pretty poorly by tourists.
Why were they rated pretty poorly by tourists?
The author Robert A. Heinlein wrote an article on his trip to the USSR in 1960:
https://www.reddit.com/r/EuropeanCulture/s/E7AMCSaJI5
Sounds like an overall mediocre experience where Western tourists were shuttled between highly choreographed scheduled visits without the ability to see anything interesting or interact with the locals.
Otherwise like North Korea today. It’s such a coincidence.
Straight out of the dictators playbook
Although I'd expect Heinlein to be one of the least impartial people around when it comes to the Soviet Union, seeing as he leaned towards some pretty questionable right wing views himself
Intourist was also fairly well known to be (obviously) party controlled and KGB connected.
Interestingly it was after an Intourist trip Trump became very vocally Anti-NATO
The USSR looked very appealing compared to conditions in the West during the depths of the Great Depression. The rapid industrialization of the First and Second Five-Year Plans was a real draw for unemployed European and North American factory workers. LIFE Magazine's inaugural issue in 1936 included a remarkable set of photographs from Margaret Bourke-White extolling Soviet success (and LIFE was published by Henry Luce, a staunch anti-communist).
1936 sure was a year to be foreigner in USSR
I wouldn't be so eager to visit Ukraine in the 1930s
In Kyiv, Intourist ran a luxurious hotel just steps from Khreshchatyk. On the Dnipro River, its guests were entertained aboard a gleaming white motor yacht, featuring a bar stocked with an impressive array of drinks.
Prepare your palette for our exquisite nothing-you-can-eat buffet, truly a marvel of Socialist ingenuity.
Foreign tourists and dignitaries in the USSR were treated to exceptional hospitality, with every effort made to ensure they were both well fed and thoroughly entertained. Lavish meals prepared by skilled chefs, elegant accommodations, and carefully planned cultural and recreational activities showcased the country’s finest offerings. From exquisite dining experiences to guided tours of major cities and scenic excursions, no detail was overlooked in presenting the Soviet Union as a welcoming and sophisticated destination.
In this kind of place, tourists (especially the ones bringing hard currency) are treated like royalty.
I mean, tourists in North Korea aren't starved by the regime.
As if people can actually eat anything under capitalism. If capitalism can provide for everyone why are there still starving people in the streets?
The operative word is more people. The U.S. doesn't have a Holodomor to deny.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_insecurity_and_hunger_in_the_United_States
I mean early Soviet Union would've honestly been an insane tourist destination
Controlling for inflation, that's $117 for 3rd class ($5), $187 for tourist class ($8), and $350 1st class ($15). According to the Census, the average US worker in 1936 earned $4-$5 per day.
Come for the Gulags, stay for the Holodomor!