More Than a Fairy Tale The Russian Revolution and George Orwell’s Animal Farm

Roots Czarist Russia (Tsarist Russia) –Czar (or Tsar) was the monarch –Absolute monarchy Britain, France, and Germany had differing forms of a democratic system Opposition to the Czar could lead to imprisonment or execution –Economy had not industrialized by the end of the 19 th century –Populace was illiterate, subsistence farmers, tenant farmers (not land owners) –Enormous wealth gap

Communism The Communist Manifesto –Karl Marx and Frederick Engels –Published in 1848 –A Reaction to Capitalism Called for a Socialist state Government would dissolve Claimed Capitalism exploits workers Workers would rise up and take over Religion is the “opiate of the masses” –Dulls the mind and wits to control the people “Working Men of all Countries Unite!”

Communism Proletariat –The Workers Proletarian = a worker Bourgeois –Middle/upper class Bourgeoisie = someone from the middle class or upper class

World War I 1914, Czar Nicholas II joined Russia to the Allies –Unpopular war –War further impoverished the nation Food sent to the army at the front Cotton used for uniforms Metals used for weapons General populace was starving and lacked proper food, clothing, tools, etc.

World War I Russian Army was suffering defeats Czar refused to pull out of the war Small scale revolts started in 1914 –Small revolts led by Communist “Soviets” (Councils) February 1917 –Czar abdicates after weeks of violent demonstrations and attacks –Provisional government takes over Weak and disorganized

The October Revolution Vladimir Lenin rose to control the Soviets –Lenin’s promises: “Land, bread, and peace” –Redistribute food and land –Get Russia out of the war A Socialist state –Leon Trotsky and Joseph Stalin were Lenin’s main followers

Trotsky Stalin Lenin

The October Revolution Vladimir Lenin rose to control the Soviets –Lenin’s promises: “Land, bread, and peace” –Redistribute food and land –Get Russia out of the war A Socialist state –Leon Trotsky and Joseph Stalin were Lenin’s main followers –Gained control of the Army, rapid take-over from October –Thousands of workers and laborers were armed –Stormed the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg

1917 – 1922, the first phase Lenin nationalized banks, seized private property, redistributed the use of land by “need,” businesses were slowly nationalized, hired labor was outlawed Peace agreement for WWI –Gave up nearly 1/3 of Russian land –Had to pay massive reparations The wealthy began to unite against Lenin –Counter-revolution

Civil War, “Red Army” created, led by Trotsky Terror campaign –Anyone who spoke out against Lenin or the government was quickly and brutally silenced Anti-communist “White Army” Thousands die in the Civil War Red Army prevails, Lenin dies… Now What?

Trotsky and Stalin, Trotsky –Well educated –Great speaker –Idealist/visionary Stalin –Poorly educated –Not a great speaker –Pragmatic While Trotsky dreamed, Stalin made allies

Stalin Takes Over Stalin replaces Lenin through support he built –Rules for 25 years –5 year plans Plans to industrialize Worked, but at a high cost –Creation of the KGB Secret spy agency, secret police Ruthlessly put down any opposition to Stalin or Lenin Gulags

Stalin’s Rule Brutal, iron-fisted rule 1934 purges –Began with political opponents and high ranking Party members Arrested, tortured, forced to admit to crimes they did not commit, and were executed Exiled Trotsky in 1928 –Trotsky was later assassinated in 1940 –Scope broadened Spread outside of politics, out to the countryside –Estimated 2 – 7 million people were killed during Stalin’s reign

Propaganda Massive propaganda campaign to build support of the new Soviet Union –Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) –Depicted strength and valor of the worker and the farmer Posters, most of the society was illiterate –Pravda: The official newspaper Controlled information Religion allowed –Used religion and church to spread propaganda

Contradictions in Communism Marxist –Government dissolves, socialist society –Religion unneccessary –Peaceful –Free, open, equal society Leninist/Stalinist –Strong totalitarian government –Religion allowed –Joined WW II –KGB & lack of freedoms