The Zhdanov Doctrine

The Zhdanov Doctrine was a Soviet cultural policy established in the late 1940s, emphasizing that art and culture should serve the interests of the state and promote socialist values. It mandated that Soviet artists, writers, and composers focus on themes aligned with Marxist-Leninist ideology, portraying Western countries, especially the United States, as enemies, while highlighting Soviet achievements. This doctrine aimed to unify cultural production under communist principles, suppressing Western influence and dissent, ensuring that art supported political aims and reinforced Soviet authority domestically and internationally.