The criminal is the one who slaughters the young... (Davydov S.)

This is a Soviet propaganda poster from 1920 titled The Criminal is the One Who Slaughters the Young.

Visual Description:

The poster features a stylized illustration of a bearded man with a stern, almost angry expression. He is wearing a dark cap and a rough-looking, red garment with a colorful, striped border at the bottom. His right hand is raised, with his index finger pointing upwards, a gesture that can signify a warning, accusation, or a call to attention. The mans mouth is open, as if he is shouting or admonishing. The overall style is bold and graphic, typical of early 20th-century propaganda.

Textual Content and Subtext:

The main headline in large, bold letters reads: The Criminal is the One Who Slaughters the Young.

Below the illustration, there is a block of text that elaborates on this message:

• We have few cattle. Raise them. Everything for work. This highlights a perceived shortage of livestock and emphasizes the importance of agricultural labor.
• Peasant - fulfill your duty. This directly addresses the peasant class, urging them to take responsibility.
• Breed as many animals as possible if you dont want to starve. This connects livestock breeding to survival and preventing famine.
• Dont sigh, dont shake your head while reading this, but get to work. This is a strong call to action, dismissing any potential complaints or despair and demanding immediate engagement in labor.
• INCREASE THE HERDS! IN THAT LIES SALVATION! This is a highly emphasized, capitalized command, presenting the growth of livestock as the key to survival and prosperity.
• OUR FUTURE IS IN OUR HANDS. This concluding slogan reinforces the idea of collective agency and responsibility for shaping the nations destiny.

Subtexts and Interpretation:

The poster is a powerful piece of propaganda aimed at the rural population, likely peasants, in post-revolutionary Russia.

• Economic Urgency: The repeated emphasis on livestock and the threat of starvation point to severe economic hardship and food shortages in the aftermath of World War I and the Russian Revolution. The poster aims to mobilize the rural population to address these critical issues.
• Mobilization and Duty: The poster frames the act of neglecting livestock or not increasing herds as a crime, equating it with harming the future. It calls upon peasants to fulfill their duty to the state and society by engaging in productive agricultural labor.
• Collective Responsibility: The slogan Our Future is in Our Hands underscores the Soviet ideology of collective effort and self-reliance. It suggests that the well-being of the nation depends on the individual and collective actions of its citizens.
• Critique of Idleness or Inaction: The admonishing tone of the mans gesture and the text (Dont sigh, dont shake your head... but get to work) criticizes any form of passivity, despair, or inaction, urging practical engagement in solving the countrys problems.
• Young as Metaphor: While literally referring to young animals, the young could also be interpreted metaphorically to represent the future of the nation, its resources, or even its people. Slaughtering the young in any sense would be detrimental to future growth.
• Famine Prevention: The direct link between breeding animals and avoiding hunger is a stark and practical message, designed to resonate with a population directly threatened by food scarcity.

In essence, the poster uses a strong, accusatory visual and direct, commanding text to urge peasants to prioritize and actively engage in livestock farming as a crucial step towards economic recovery, famine prevention, and securing a better future for the nation.