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. 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. 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

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 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. http://www.allstates-flag.com/fotw/flags/by.html http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/finial http://www.allstates-flag.com/fotw/flags/su.html

9. Holiday Flaglets 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. http://www.allstates-flag.com/fotw/flags/su_praz.html The inscription means Happy Holidays.

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. "USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) Flag." Ultimate Flags. 1999. The Ultimate Source. 25 Feb 2007. Martins, Antonio. "Aeroflot (Soviet Union)." allstates-flag.com. 24 July 2004. Flags of the World. 25 Feb 2007. Werth, Paul. "European Civilization: 1684 to Present." History 106. 25 Feb 2007. Wharton, Christopher. "The Hammer and Sickle: The Role of Symbolism and Rituals in the Russian Revolution." Myriad. Westminster College. 25 Feb 2007. Gutterman, Dov. "Belarus." allstates-flag.com. 18 December 2004. Flags of the World. 25 Feb 2007. finial. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Retrieved February 25, 2007, from Dictionary.com website:. Martins, Antonio. "Banner of Victory." allstates-flag.com. 29 April 2006. Flags of the World. 25 Feb 2007. Martins, Antonio. "Holiday Flaglets (Soviet Union)." allstates-flag.com. 13 September 2003. Flags of the World. 25 Feb 2007.