The Hammer and the Sickle

1. The Hammer and the Sickle By: Taylor Kiskamp Block B1

2. Symbolism • The hammer and sickle represent the unity between the peasants (sickle) and the workers (hammer). • The red background was used on most Soviet flags, and symbolized the blood spilt by workers fighting for their emancipation. http://www.allstates-flag.com/fotw/flags/su.html

3. Symbolism (cont’d) • “The Red was directly inherited from the red banner flown at the Paris Commune; the original “base” symbol of a worker’s government flag.” • The gold star is a representation of unity, and its five points represent five classes in soviet society: workers, peasants, scholars, youths, and soldiers. http://www.allstates-flag.com/fotw/flags/su.html http://www.ultimateflags.com/novelty/ussr.html

4. http://www.allstates-flag.com/fotw/flags/su_aflot.html www.unlv.edu/faculty/pwerth/106.html http://www.allstates-flag.com/fotw/flags/su.html A Brief History • “Hammer and sickle existed in soviet symbolism since 1917.” • Some military uniforms and military flags bore the hammer and sickle in 1918. • It was adopted in 1923, while Vladimir Lenin was in power.

5. State Emblem • The state emblem of the Soviet Union was similar to a coat of arms, and had the earth overpowered by a hammer and sickle. • Two bundles of corn surround the earth, draped in scrolls reading the motto, “workers of the world, unite thee,” in all 15 SSR languages. http://www.allstates-flag.com/fotw/flags/su.html

6. State Emblem (cont’d) • The Black Sea is centered on the globe, which has solid continents and coordinate lines at twenty degree intervals. • Under the globe, a sun is rising. • The red star, which is also found on the flag, rests above the globe between the two bundles of corn. http://www.allstates-flag.com/fotw/flags/su.html

7. Original Emblem • When first created, the state emblem also consisted of a sword, which was meant to represent the army. • Lenin opposed this because he wanted the new Russia to be viewed as a more peaceful place. • “This is a logical extrapolation when considering that the design was being created during the same time that Russia was negotiating peace with the Germans in Brest-Litovsk.” http://www.westminstercollege.edu/myriad/index.cfm?parent=2514&detail=4475&content=4797

8. Finial http://www.allstates-flag.com/fotw/flags/by.html http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/finial http://www.allstates-flag.com/fotw/flags/su.html • Finial (noun)- a relatively small, ornamental, terminal feature at the top of a gable, pinnacle, etc. • This finial was used in the Soviet Union, and it bore the same symbol as the flag; the hammer and sickle below a solid five-pointed star. • Belarus now uses this finial as their own, as it now stands at the top of their flag.

9. This is a small version of a flag, called a flaglet, used to celebrate holidays. This is a Prazn, or holiday flag, celebrating Spring because of the colorful flowers. The star is solid yellow (usually outlined yellow) to show the relaxation of Soviet flag makers during the holiday. Holiday Flaglets • The inscription means Happy Holidays. http://www.allstates-flag.com/fotw/flags/su_praz.html

10. Banner of Victory • The hammer and sickle are shown larger than usual. • The original flag is currently at a museum in Moscow, but others are flown on important national holidays. • Inscription tells the full name of the military unit. http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/su^vctry.html

11. Connections • The flag that the animals created in Animal Farm is a direct representation of the Russian flag. • The hammer and sickle are like the hoof and the horn, representing the working class and peasants. • The green represents Animalism, just like the red represents Communism. http://www.allstates-flag.com/fotw/flags/su.html

12. Bibliography • Martins, Antonio. "Soviet Union." allstates-flag.com. 09 April 2005. Flags of the World. 25 Feb 2007 <http://www.allstates-flag.com/fotw/flags/su.html>. • "USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) Flag." Ultimate Flags. 1999. The Ultimate Source. 25 Feb 2007 <http://www.ultimateflags.com/novelty/ussr.html>. • Martins, Antonio. "Aeroflot (Soviet Union)." allstates-flag.com. 24 July 2004. Flags of the World. 25 Feb 2007 <http://www.allstates-flag.com/fotw/flags/su_aflot.html>. • Werth, Paul. "European Civilization: 1684 to Present." History 106. 25 Feb 2007 <http://www.unlv.edu/faculty/pwerth/106.html>. • Wharton, Christopher. "The Hammer and Sickle: The Role of Symbolism and Rituals in the Russian Revolution." Myriad. Westminster College. 25 Feb 2007 <http://www.westminstercollege.edu/myriad/index.cfm?parent=2514&detail=4475&conten t=4797>. • Gutterman, Dov. "Belarus." allstates-flag.com. 18 December 2004. Flags of the World. 25 Feb 2007 <http://www.allstates-flag.com/fotw/flags/by.html>. • finial. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Retrieved February 25, 2007, from Dictionary.com website: <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/finial>. • Martins, Antonio. "Banner of Victory." allstates-flag.com. 29 April 2006. Flags of the World. 25 Feb 2007 <http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/su^vctry.html>. • Martins, Antonio. "Holiday Flaglets (Soviet Union)." allstates-flag.com. 13 September 2003. Flags of the World. 25 Feb 2007 <http://www.allstates-flag.com/fotw/flags/su_praz.html>.