Forensic Research Archive of Manipulation and Exploitation
A Model Democracy - Czechoslovakia, 1939 Czechoslovakia poster: Leaflet page 5 with a photograph of T. G. Masaryk reading

A Model Democracy - Czechoslovakia

Leaflet page 5 with a photograph of T. G. Masaryk reading, the national coat of arms with the motto 'Pravda Vitezi', a peasant scene, and text on the vote, free speech and no press censorship. The tell is that the rights are listed as a flat assertion ('like ourselves') in virtue terms, with Masaryk's name and the motto as the voucher and no figures or dated cases.

Propaganda techniques used in this poster

Glittering generalitiesTestimonial
Date
1939
Period
Second World War
Made by
Issuer not stated (English-language leaflet series on Czechoslovakia, page 5)
Region
Western and Central Europe
Country
Czechoslovakia
Medium
Poster
Issuer type
State
Regime
Czechoslovak Government in Exile
Leader
Edvard Benes
Audience
Foreign public
Purpose
Persuade or win support
Themes
Elections and party politics, War and the military
Event
World War II
Source
Unidentified Source blurred: contractors, cutouts, buried disclosure
Source
U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 44, World War II Foreign Posters, retrieved October 3, 2026
Rights
Held by NARA, Unrestricted; hosted by owner decision
Issuer not stated, National Archives and Records Administration, 44-PF-755.

Text on the object

Original (English) · read from the image, not independently checked

A MODEL DEMOCRACY

Like ourselves the Czechoslovaks had all the rights of free citizens. Every man and woman had the vote for the two Houses of Parliament. Everyone could speak and write freely; there was no press censorship; trades and professions were open to the qualified. Freedom of religion was complete and guaranteed by the Constitution.

Thomas G. Masaryk was the liberator and first President of Czechoslovakia. A great European and a close friend of England he chose the famous motto of John Hus-"TRUTH PREVAILS"-for the national coat of arms.

To-day Czechoslovak democracy is crushed by the Nazis and gangster rule prevails.

1 Masaryk the Liberator, who with friends in England and America prepared for the deliverance of Czechoslovakia in 1918.
2 The national coat of arms with the old motto "Pravda Vitezi"-"Truth Prevails."
3 Masaryk, man of the people.

5

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