“Russian Washington” or siberian dictator? Images and evaluation of A. V. Kolchak as supreme ruler in American press (1918–1920)

Abstract

This article examines images of Admiral A. V. Kolchak taken from leading US newspaper articles published between 1918 and 1920. Having taken visual and verbal narratives into consideration, the discourse features of Kolchak’s image in the American press have been identified, as well as their influence on White House policy toward the White Movement in Russia. The Supreme Ruler’s positive and negative sides are pointed out. Emphasis is placed on the U. S. State Department’s lack of a clear policy towards Kolchak’s regime which led to the denial of full assistance to the White Armies in the east of Russia. The theoretical basis for this study is the concept of political culture, introduced by American political scientists G. A. Almond and S. Verba. Refs 89.