Animal Farm By George Orwell Background History

Czar Nicholas II Last Emperor of Russia– Russia led to economic and political collapse under his rule Ousted from power in 1917-his entire family including 5 children and his wife were assassinated

Karl Marx German Philosopher who developed “Marxism” which was a government based on what is best for the majority of people not just the rich and upper class Believed in revolutions against corrupt governing Believed in pure communism and his ideas led to the forming of the Soviet Union after the Czar was ousted and murdered

Leon Trotsky Revolutionary leader that led to ousting of Czar Nicholas II Removed from power after making remarks against Joseph Stalin (who was not in official power yet) Stalin had him assassinated

Vladimir Lenin Russian Marxist Revolutionary Creator of Soviet Communist Party Founder of the USSR Head of Bolsheviks Presided over Russia during the transformation from country ruled by Czars to communist country

Joseph Stalin The Bad Guy Rose to power after Lenin’s death Assassinated Trotsky to get rid of any challenges Did not follow Marxism, but began a reign of terror that resulted in the deaths of 20+ million people Orchestrated a mass famine in Ukraine killing 5 million Made a pact with Hitler (Hitler did not honor it, duh!)

Definitions Proletariat-(in Marxist theory) the class of workers, especially industrial wage earners, who do not possess capital or property and must sell their labor to survive. Bolsheviks- a. a member of the more radical majority of the Social Democratic party, 1903–17, advocating immediate and forceful seizure of power by the proletariat. b. (after 1918) a member of the Russian Communist party.

Definitions Socialism- a   system of that advocates the ownership and control of the means of production and distribution, of capital, land, etc., in the community as a whole. Communism- 1. a system of social organization based on the holding of all property in common, actual ownership being ascribed to the community as a whole or to the state. 2. a system of social organization in which all economic and social activity is controlled by a totalitarian state dominated by a single and self-perpetuating political party.

George Orwell The Author Born in British colonized India 1903 Became a famous journalist Critical of Stalin Published Animal Farm in 1945—an allegory of the corruption of Socialism/Communism Other famous novel: 1984 –prophetic vision of the results of totalitarianism (absolute control by the state )