6A

Bound to the Soil: The Outflow of Labour from Agriculture

In the 1950s, labour in agriculture became a key topic of public discussion. Young people were leaving to work in industry, where they could earn higher wages and enjoy greater prestige. The regime perceived this as a threat to the JZD, which had been painstakingly constructed. Propaganda materials therefore emphasised the duty of rural inhabitants to remain in the countryside and participate in building the cooperatives. Posters with this message relied on a strong moral appeal, combining narrative, emotion, and a clear ideological framework to influence the attitudes of rural communities and strengthen the JZD's workforce.