French Communist Party poster collection

Access and use

Location of collection:
George Mason University
2400 Fenwick Library
Special Collections Research Center
Fenwick Library MS2FL
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA 22030
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Mieko Palazzo
Phone: (703) 993-2220
Fax: (703) 993-2669

Summary

Extent:
1218 posters
Creator:
Parti Communiste Français
Abstract:
Substantial selection of posters from PCF archive in Paris. Topics include French elections, union of the left, anti-outsourcing, peace, human rights, civil rights, social aid, environment, women, publications, congresses, anti-nuclear, pro-Cuba, pro-Soviet Union, and anti-America movements.
Language:
French

Background

Scope and content:

Substantial selection of posters from PCF archive in Paris. Some of the earliest posters are from 1949 billboard campaign, which includes Pablo Picasso's peace dove poster, which he created for the PCF's World Committee of Peace Partisans' conference held in Paris in the spring of 1949. The posters follow party propaganda through their many electoral campaigns and changing platforms into the 21st century; topics include candidates, social welfare programs, financial issues, lodging, a union of the left, peace, human rights, civil rights, environment, anti-nuclear, pro-Cuba, pro-Soviet Union, and anti-America movements. Posters also celebrate important dates, promote the party's publications and advertise party events. Specific topics include women, fête de l'humanité, communists' births and deaths, protests, book releases, and the newspaper l'Humanité.

Series 1: Political Posters contains posters that describe the party's position, call for peace, promote the Union of the Left, support French production and are by Young Communist groups.

Series 2: Social Posters contains posters that celebrate important anniversaries, advertise for meetings, promote publications, celebrate women, call for protest demonstrations, and convey important party events.

Biographical / historical:

The French Communist Party (PCF for short) emerged in 1921 out of the Section Français de l'Internationale Communiste. The two parties fought for support; the PCF supported the many governments of France, but did not participate directly in politics until after World War II. The group took an active role in Charles de Gaulle's government starting in 1944. The PCF was critical of the Indochinese War and the Algerian War in the 1940s and 1950s. They opposed many of the referendums during the start of the Fifth Republic, to no avail. In 1956, Maurice Thorez became the party leader, a role he held until 1964 when Waldeck Rochet took over the party. The PCF ran a candidate in several presidential primaries, but never garnered enough support to continue to the second round of elections. In the 1970s, the PCF banded together with other parties of the left to create the programme commun; this alliance worked together to support Mitterand and also to make governmental changes that their constituents valued. Throughout its existence, the PCF supported the workers and farmers of France and fought for more social welfare programs, like higher minimum wages, better retirement conditions, better working conditions, and equal pay. The party also sought female support by celebrating women's issues and equal rights. The Party held Congresses every few years as party meetings to discuss and celebrate social issues. After President Mitterand's term in office, the party began to fracture and supporters disappeared. The end of communism and the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 put an extra burden on the already hurting party; they did not dissolve or change their name, but they struggled for wide support like they once had. The party is still active today, with a Young Communiste movement popular amongst the younger generation, but they do not have the members like during their heyday.

Acquisition information:
Purchased from Thomas Hill in 2009.
Arrangement:

This collection is organized into two series by subject with posters further organized into 11 subseries. Within each series, posters are arranged by size and chronologically.

  • Series 1: Political posters, circa 1945-2008 (Box 1-5, Shelf 1-4,6, MC)
  • Series 2: Social posters, 1950-2008 (Box 6, Shelf 5, MC)