IMAGE ANALYSIS

Artist: V. I. FidmanDate: 1919Caption: The enemy wants to capture Moscow, the heart of Soviet

Russia. The enemy must be defeated.

FORWARD, COMRADES!

Artist: V. I. FidmanDate: 1919Caption: The enemy wants to

capture Moscow, the heart of Soviet

Russia. The enemy must be defeated.

FORWARD, COMRADES!

1. A superficial reading of the image tells us this image is about an armed conflict.

2. The date tells us this poster is from the Civil War (1918-20).

3. The caption tells us this is a Red poster, since we know that Moscow was the Bolsheviks’ seat of government.

The chain in the left hand signifies

that this figure plans to enslave

Russians

The crown is a very obvious reference to the monarchy

The epaulette is a symbol of the old Tsarist

military elite, symbols which are still used in the

White armies

The figure’s right, claw-like hand is grasping forward, ready to seize those in the background

The distinctive walls and

buildings of the Moscow Kremlin, the city’s historic

fortressDefending soldiers

appear identical and stand with fixed bayonets

Many defending

soldiers are arriving to fight

the monster

Behind the clouds and battle, a brilliant sunrise suggests the dawn of a new age

Gunsmoke and cannonballs provide evidence of a battle in progress

Moscow will be defended by a massive and united force

A monstrous force wants to

capture Moscow

The White armies are powerful enemies who

threaten to take away

revolutionary freedoms and

restore a Tsar to the throne.

The Red Army is unified, brave, and popular. A mighty force of

Red soldiers stands fearlessly against the monster, and supported by all

Muscovites.

Application

• This sort of scaffold will help yougather information that you can refer to in answering part C and D exam-style questions.

Exam-style questions Application

C) By referring to parts of the image and using your own knowledge, explain why the Reds were victorious in the Russian Civil War of 1918-20. [6 marks]

What elements of this image help explain what I am going to discuss?

D) Evaluate the extent to which this representation is a complete depiction of the challenges facing the revolutionary government between 1918 and 1924. [10 marks]

Which elements of this image are accurate? Which are misleading? What is missing?

‘By referring to parts of

the image...’

‘...and using your own

knowledge...’

Part C questionsBy referring to parts of the image and using your own knowledge, explain why the Reds were victorious in the Russian Civil War of 1918-20. (6 marks)

Give a one-sentence, direct answer and then go into detail

Cite a specific symbol or feature of the image which supports your

answer

Expand into an argument using

specific evidence which displays the

breadth and depth of your knowledge

Conclude by linking your argument back to

the main ideas expressed in the image

Evaluate to what extent this representation is a

complete depiction of the challenges facing the revolutionary government between 1918 and 1924.

In your response, refer to parts of the representation and to different views of the new society.

(10 marks)'...and refer to other views...'

Support your argument!

'...refer to parts of the

representation...'

'Evaluate the extent to which

this is a complete depiction...'

Answer the question with a general evaluation, then go into

detail...

Identify a strength of the source

Illustrate by identifying

supporting feature of the source

Give factual evidence proving

this strength

Quote a historian who agrees with the

perspective in the source

Identify a weakness of the source

Illustrate by identifying an

omission from, or misleading feature

of, the source

Give factual evidence proving

this weakness

Quote a historian who disagrees with

the perspective in the source

Part D questions

Answer the above questions

1. List two forces in the Russian civil war that are being referred to in the image

2. List two symbols in the image and explain what they represent.

3. By referring to parts of the image and using your own knowledge, explain why the Reds were victorious in the Russian Civil War of 1918-20.

4. Evaluate to what extent this representation is a complete depiction of the challenges facing the revolutionary government between 1918 and 1921. In your response, refer to parts of the representation and to different views of the new society.