Animal Farm & Russian Revolution: A Historical Backdrop English II

Animal Farm by George Orwell Animal Farm (1945) is an allegory about the Russian Revolution of 1917 in which the Russian Czar, Nicholas II, was overthrown, and the world’s first communist regime was established. In his dystopian novella, Orwell creates fictional characters (animals), who represent the actual people surrounding the events of the Russian Revolution.

Privatized Farms and Industry (owned by aristocracy) 1 man Power Wealth CZAR Autocracy Under Czar Nicholas II Aristocracy Military Agriculture Industry – Proletariat – Workers from Privatized Farms and Industry (owned by aristocracy) Powerless Poor Millions of People

Czar Nicholas II 1894-1917 Czar Nicholas was the last emperor of Russia

Czar Nicholas II Russia lagged behind other modernized countries in: Industrialization Government Education

Leading up to the Russian Revolution Majority of population faced poverty, hunger, unsafe working conditions, and unemployment Violent executions Discontented populace WWI Lost territory from war Food & resources going to troops

Russian Revolution A series of revolts led by hungry workers erupted across Russia October 1917 – Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, led a revolution and successfully overthrew Czar Nicholas II Lenin worked to structure a new communist government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) Two other key figures in implementing this new government system were Leon Trotsky and Joseph Stalin

Communism Envisioned by Karl Marx Collectively Owned Agriculture No Man Self-governance Communism Envisioned by Karl Marx Power Wealth Collectively Owned Agriculture Collectively Owned Industry Mandatory Military Service For All Citizens

Communism Envisioned by Karl Marx The communists hoped that after updating their country’s industry, agriculture, and military, a populace of educated people could successfully govern themselves and collectively own the combined wealth of their nation.

Communism Defined: Dictionary definition: A political theory derived from Karl Marx, advocating class war and leading to a society in which all property is publicly owned and each person works and is paid according to their abilities and needs. Another definition: a type of government in which a single party holds power and the government controls the economy; classes are abolished and property is commonly controlled by the “whole”

Communism Envisioned by Karl Marx It was a utopian type dream where a classless society provided all its citizens with a comfortable and meaningful life.

Transitional Rule Under Vladimir Lenin Lenin Communist Party 1 man Power Wealth Lenin Transitional Rule Under Vladimir Lenin Communist Party Agriculture Modernization Industry Modernization Military Modernization Powerless Poor Workers are quickly absorbed Into Agriculture, Industry, and Military Millions of People

The Russian Revolution Promises Soviets gain popular support by promising: Land Bread Peace Joseph Stalin and Vladimir Lenin

Transitional Rule Under Lenin Their main goals were to: Modernize industry and agriculture Get rid of the aristocracy (middle & upper classes) Provide adequate food, shelter, and medical services to the poor Educate the population in the ways of Communism Strengthen their military

Transitional Rule Under Lenin 1918: The Red Army, led by Leon Trotsky, identified and executed suspected anti-communists.

Transitional Rule Under Lenin 1918-1921 Civil War erupted between the Communists and their opposition

Transitional Rule Under Lenin 1924: Lenin died before he could see a new Russia emerge. A power struggle then developed between Trotsky and Stalin.

Transitional Rule Under Lenin Stalin gained control, expelled Trotsky from the Communist Party, and ran him out of the country into permanent exile. Trotsky was assassinated in Mexico in 1940

Government Farms and Industry 1 man Power Wealth Stalin Communist Rule Under Joseph Stalin Secret Police (KGB) Military Agriculture Industry Powerless – Proletariat – Workers from Government Farms and Industry (owned by Stalin) Poor Millions of People

Communist Rule Under Stalin The Russia that Stalin developed was not the same country that Lenin had hoped for. Stalin gained power and strength, and used his influence to purge the country of all who opposed him. His totalitarian regime dispelled freedom, forced labor, and caused general morose, and would remain such under his control until his death in 1953.

Communist Rule Under Stalin 1928 Stalin’s “Five Year Plans” Designed to bring Russia into the industrial age

Communist Rule Under Stalin Stalin maintained power by using political and social terror. KGB, Cheka, and system of spies

Communist Rule Under Stalin The Purges High ranking officials were arrested, forced to confess to false charges, and then executed Stalin was seen as protecting Russia

Communist Rule Under Stalin In addition to his campaign of terror, Stalin also controlled all media sources. Stalin could effectively rewrite history to suit his political/military needs.