Make Mine Freedom (1948)

This Cold War-era cartoon touts the dangers of Communism and the benefits of capitalism. (I imagine even the youngest of viewers would wonder why "capitalism" was somehow magically exempt from the dangerous "isms".) The first and best of the Harding College "Fun and Facts About America" cartoon series.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• 1948
• Cold War
• Communism
• Capitalism
• Propaganda
• Cartoon

[randy95023]

As Corny as this toon is... I still wish everyone in the country would watch it. They wouldn't have to agree with it, just give the sheep a little nudge to help them see modern reality more clearly. Regardless of all our so-called "advances" in the last 40 years I would still argue that America was a LOT better in the 50's. Just my opinion...

[FNGLHR]

You know, the video did say that it was open to all races and religions during the opening and it did sorta admit that capitalism has its problems. Didn't show them, but its not like it said everything was perfect.

[Dekamore]

the USA is not a "capitalism" its a system that lets the people be capitalist.

the goverment was not to be a capitalism.

[corvus13]

Yeah, let's beat up all of the people whose ideas are different from ours. That's the American way.

[corvus13]

@scottntexas What do the Jim Crow laws, the KKK and segregation have to do with the Democratic Party of today?

[scottntexas]

@radiodriver10

Jim Crow laws were Democrat creations, Democrats created the KKK, Democrats fought segregation. Democrats are the real racists today. Don't just take my word for it, research it!

[radiodriver10]

@randy95023 Maybe so. But the African-American community in the Jim Crow South didn't have any rights. It's hard for me to hate a communist over a thouand miles away when a racist redneck is in my face, spouting hatred.

[Friendo1231]

@ 1:07

Ok, this cartoon is from 1948. Why exactly are there black children in this classroom? The United States' education system was not desegregated until Brown v. the Board six years after this cartoon was made! The only breakthrough in civil rights in 1948 was Truman's Executive Order 9981, which pertained to the military- not school.

But I digress. It's a propaganda film, so of course there's going to be a lot of bullshit in it.

[alexelliottwelch]

5:23 I do wish my bed does have secret and special things, like that.

[scotths]

Notice that capitalism here includes labor as an important component. The labor unions nor the politicians who tried to achieve balance between labor and capital weren't viewed as anti-capitalist or communistic but rather an important component in creating a fair, equitable and productive society. The idea that any government efforts to alter the market for the benefit of workers is "socialism" and must be avoided has not been held by a significant part of the population since the early 1900s.