Orwells Animal Farm VS. The Russian Revolution. In the early 1900s, Russia was in an appalling state of poverty while the Csar lived in luxury. There.

Orwell’s Animal FarmOrwell’s Animal Farm VS. VS.

The Russian RevolutionThe Russian Revolution

In the early 1900s, Russia was in an appalling state of poverty while the Csar lived in luxury.

There was tremendous dissatisfaction.

Czar Czar Nicholas IINicholas II

• A poor leader at best, compared to western leaders

• Cruel - sometimes brutal with opponents

• Had unarmed protesters murdered in the streets in 1905.

• Exiled before he and his entire family were brutally assassinated

• believed that the private ownership of land must be abolished

• Believed in “Communal” way of life where everyone shares in prosperity

• “Workers of the world unite", take over gov't

• Died before Russian Revolution

Karl Marx – The Father of Communism

CommunismCommunism

• All people equal

• Government owns everything and people own government

LeninLenin• adopted Marx’s ideas.• believed that the bourgeoisie (middle

class) exploited the workers and must therefore be overthrown.

• understood the emotional impact of simple, powerful slogans like “workers of the world unite”

• Changed Russia’s name to the USSR

Lenin DiesLenin Dies• When Lenin died, there was

a power struggle between Trotsky and Stalin.

• It is believed that Lenin ordered the murder of Nicholas II and his family

Leon TrotskyLeon Trotsky • One of the leaders of "October

Revolution“ with Lenin and Stalin which overthrew the government in Oct 1917.

• Believed in “pure” communism (Marx)• was a brilliant speaker • favored world revolution.• Wanted to improve life for all in Russia• Chased away by Lenin's KGB (Lenin's

secret police)

JosephJoseph StalinStalin• Stalin continually opposed Trotsky• Average speaker, not educated like

Trotsky• Didn't exactly follow Marx's ideas• Craved power, willing to kill for it• Used KGB, allowed church, and

propagandized• Benefited from the fact that education

was controlled

Propaganda Department of Propaganda Department of Stalin’s governmentStalin’s government

• Worked for Stalin to support his image

• Lied to convince the people to follow Stalin

KGB - Secret PoliceKGB - Secret Police

• Not really police, but forced all to support Stalin

• Used force, often killed entire families for disobedience

• Totally loyal, part of Lenin's power, even over army

ReligionReligion

• Marx said religion was the "Opiate of the people" and a lie

• Used to make people not complain and do their work

• Religion was tolerated because people would work and not complain

• Stalin knew religion would stop violent revolutions

Bourgeoisie (Middle Class)

• some people didn't care about revolution because it made their lives harder

• only though about themselves • went to other countries that

offered more for them

Dedicated, but tricked Dedicated, but tricked communist supporterscommunist supporters

• People believed Stalin because he was "Communist"

• Many stayed loyal after it was obvious Stalin a tyrant

• Betrayed by Stalin who ignored and killed them

Skeptical people in Russia and outside Russia

• weren't sure revolution would change anything

• realized that a crazy leader can call himself communist

• knew communism would fail with power hungry leaders

Overall details of Russian Overall details of Russian RevolutionRevolution

• Supposed to fix problems from Czar

• Life was even worse long after revolution

• Stalin made Czar look like a nice guy

Stalin takes ControlStalin takes Control• In his sinister way, Stalin secured his

power base, and engineered the permanent exile of Trotsky in 1929.

• The exiled Trotsky was still very useful to Stalin as he now had Trotsky to blame for all the problems and difficulties that Russia suffered.

5 Year Plans5 Year Plans

• From 1927-1932, new economic plans, called the five-year plans, were introduced. The purpose was to improve industry

What does any of this have to do with Animal Farm?

• Manor Farm Russia–Animal Farm USSR

• Foxwood Farm England–Pilkington Winston Churchill

• Pinchfield Farm Germany–Frederick Hitler

• Windmill 5 year plan

What does any of this have to do with Animal Farm?

• Card Game – Tehran Conference

• Old Major’s Skull – Lenin’s Body

• Flag (Hoof and Horn) Hammer and Sickle

• Battle at Cowshed Civil War

• Battle at Windmill WWII

• Animal Executions Stalin’s Purge