Catalogue Number
NMLH.1994.168.198/2
Object Name
Poster
Title
Appeal to workers and trade unionists of the world - Americans out of Vietnam poster
Events
The Vietnam War
Date
1968
Description
Large blue poster, with white and black text. This poster was created in 1968 by general council of the World Federation of Trade Unions. It is appealing to workers and others across the globe, to discuss how people could support the Vietnamese people through extensions of worker solidarity, and a global condemnation of American imperialism. The top of the poster has two black printed illustrations of the globe, and it says "Extraordinary Sessions of the General Council (Moscow. April 8 -10 1968). On the top right of the posted it says "APPEAL to workers and trade unionists of the world" in white text. The other large text is at the bottom of the poster is white text - "AMERICANS OUT OF VIETNAM! VIETNAM FOR THE VIETNAMESE!" There are several black and white photographs on the poster - the first is on the top left hand side of the poster and is a photograph of the conference. The other photographs are from the Vietnam war, displayed below each other on the right hand side of the
poster, next to the large body of black text, The first photo has three photos inside, the first is a soldier walking, with a dead body of a Vietnamese person in front. Next to this is a Vietnamese woman holding a baby, the third is of Vietnamese children. The photograph underneath this displays soldier's hiding in foliage, against smoke - this looks like the North Vietnamese army. The third photograph is of North Vietnam soldiers, holding weapons - two Vietnamese women are carrying voices. Many of the women and children in these photos are "voiceless" intending to provoke sympathy and anger - however, we do not know if there was consent from the Vietnamese individuals and the ethics behind the photography of the dead bodies. This poster is inherently anti-Vietnam war -the Vietnam war was from 1955-1975.Millions died - Vietnamese civilians and American Soldiers. The United States provided funding, armaments, and training to South Vietnam's government and military since Vietnam's
partition into the Communist North and Democratic South. Opposition to American involvement was widespread, condemning the decision to put troops in Vietnam, as well as opposition to the violence, war crimes and human rights abuses. War crimes were committed by both sides, with American forces initially denying massacres, mass rape and unnecessary murders. Sexual violence was also used as a war crime. African Americans died at a higher rate in combat and suffered huge amounts of racism. Communists would have definitely opposed the war due to unnecessary violence and capitalist expansion. The war was widely condemned and sparked several peace movements and anti-war movements across the world. The main body of text is in black writing - "We, the representatives of trade union organisations of various leanings and international trade union affiliations representing millions of workers throughout the world took part in the Extraordinary Session of the General Council of the World
Federation of Trade Unions, meeting April 8,9 and 10 1968 in Moscow, to give our support on their behalf to the Vietnamese people and to examine the ways of intensifying and extending the solidarity of the workers and trade unions of the world with them, and to more widely condemn the American Imperialists' armed aggression." The text goes on to show solidarity with their "brothers and sisters of Vietnam", and that the "Vietnamese people's fight is a great contribution to the general fight of peoples for national independence and world peace." The poster text goes on to say that the Vietnamese people are a "powerful stimulus" to the people's general struggle and for international solidarity." The discussion turns to bombing, and both Lyndon B Johnson and the government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam's attitudes towards limiting the bombing campaigns. It then says "workers and trade unionists of the world ! Your resolute action is more necessary than ever ! You must do more and
then still do more so that: there is an unconditional end to the bombing, there is an immediate cessation of the American aggression throughout all the territory of Vietnam and the withdrawal of American troops from South Vietnam, " The poster is calling for solidarity, and to condemn American aggression. It also calls for financial donations to the world-wide collection. The poster calls for the people to make May Day 1968 a great day of international solidarity with the people of Vietnam, instead of celebrating the traditional international day for workers of the world." The poster is creased and frayed at the top.
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