Images of Soviet Russia in the US press in 1921-1922

This article analyses the image of Soviet Russia formed by one of the most influential US newspapers called “The New York Times”. The reconstruction and explanation of this phenomenon will make it possible to understand in more detail the evolution of the US perspective on the Soviet regime. The study has identified three mass media's points of view on Soviet Russia over the period 1918-1922: the “demonic” image, the “victimized” image and the “neutral” image. Each of the above-mentioned images can be interpreted in different ways; therefore, we have decided to divide them into subcategories which will help us explain these images from every angle. The concept attributed to the “demonic” image includes the media coverage of certain events in Russia through criticizing the Bolsheviks' tyranny and inhumanity. “The New York Times” noted that they had turned the once great Russian Empire into a country mired in famine, civil war, and havoc. This image can be explored through the following subcategories: 1) Inability of the Soviet government to deal with the civil war and other internal territorial problems on its own. 2) Incompetence in preventing the famine of 1921-1922 and subsequent lack of assistance to victims. The “victimized” image of Soviet Russia prevailed in the US press throughout the peak of the Russian famine of 1921-1922. The “neutral” image of Soviet Russia, its government, and its people brought almost nothing to picture the Red Scare; yet it equally deserves our attention. This image was used by mass media to specify the similarities that the Soviets and other nations shared, and to point out Russia's desire to work with other countries for the good of the world.