In this cartoon, the confused look on the face of the bear representing Russia matched the conflicting, uncertain news American readers were receiving about fighting in Russia between Bolshevik armies and supporters of Alexander Kerensky, Head of the Provisional Government that ruled Russia from July to November, 1917.
Here, Kerensky is depicted as a rescuer because he pledged to continue Russia’s fight against Germany on the Eastern Front. The image links the Bolsheviks to Germany, reflecting German support for Bolshevik leader, V.I. Lenin, who favored peace with Germany. The Bolsheviks gained control of the Russian government in November, 1917, and negotiated the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany, ending Russian participation in the war.
This cartoon was drawn by Clifford Berryman, one of Washington, DC’s best-known cartoonists in the early to mid-1900s. Berryman drew for the Washington Post and Evening Star newspapers. His cartoons touched on a variety of subjects including politics, elections, and both World Wars.
This cartoon is featured in America and the World: Foreign Affairs in Political Cartoons, 1898–1940, a free PDF book from the Center for Legislative Archives at the National Archives.
