A criminal is the one who slaughters young livestock. 1920

This 1920 Soviet political poster by artist S. Davydov carries the slogan «Преступник тот, кто режет молодняк», translated as “A criminal is the one who slaughters young livestock.” The central figure, a bearded peasant pointing directly at the viewer, creates a confrontational and moralizing appeal, assigning personal responsibility.

Bottom text translation and meaning:
“There is little livestock among us. Raise it. Everyone to work.
Peasant, fulfill your duty.
Breed as many animals as possible if you do not want to starve.
Do not sigh and shake your head while reading this, but get to work.
Increase the herds. In this lies salvation!
Our future is in our hands.”

Together, the image and text urge peasants to stop slaughtering young animals for short term survival and instead focus on rebuilding herds as a collective obligation. The poster combines warning, instruction, and moral pressure, reflecting early Soviet agricultural policy during a period of famine and economic recovery.