Orwell’s Animal Farm VS. The Russian Revolution

Russian Society Russia was in extreme poverty while the Tsar (emperor/king) lived in luxury. There was massive unhappiness.

Czar Nicholas II Cruel - sometimes brutal with opponents Sometimes kind - hired students as spies to make $

Believed that private ownership of land was bad. Karl Marx “Father of Communism” Believed that private ownership of land was bad. Believed in “Communal” way of life where everyone shares in prosperity.

Government owns everything People own government Communism All people equal Government owns everything People own government

Lenin Followed Marx’s ideas. Believed that the bourgeoisie (middle class) exploited the workers and must therefore be overthrown. Changed Russia’s name to the USSR

One of the leaders of "October Revolution“ along with Lenin and Stalin Leon Trotsky One of the leaders of "October Revolution“ along with Lenin and Stalin Believed in “pure” communism, followed Marx

Lenin was the President, Trotsky the Commissar for Foreign Affairs. Trotsky was a brilliant speaker. With Lenin he succeeded in overthrowing the government in October 1917. Lenin was the President, Trotsky the Commissar for Foreign Affairs.

Commissar Former name of a head of a government department in the Soviet Union. Like U.S. Secretary of State

Wanted to improve life for all in Russia Trotsky Wanted to improve life for all in Russia Chased away by Lenin's KGB (Lenin's secret police)

Red Army (the Bolsheviks) led by Trotsky proved successful. Civil War 1918 –1921 there was civil war. Foreign countries including Britain, France, Poland and USA were alarmed at the spread of communism. Red Army (the Bolsheviks) led by Trotsky proved successful.

Average speaker, not educated like Trotsky Joseph Stalin 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

Propaganda Department of Stalin’s government Worked for Stalin to support his image Lied to convince the people to follow Stalin

Stalin takes Control Stalin secured his power base, and engineered the permanent exile of Trotsky in 1929.

Stalin used Trotsky as a “scapegoat” by blaming him for all the problems and difficulties that Russia suffered.

Used force to get people to follow Stalin KGB - Secret Police Not really police Used force to get people to follow Stalin Often killed entire families for disobedience Totally loyal, part of Lenin's power, even over army

communist supporters: Dedicated, but tricked People believed Stalin because he was "Communist" Many stayed loyal after it was obvious Stalin a tyrant Followers were betrayed by Stalin who ignored and killed them

Overall details of Russian Revolution Supposed to fix problems from Czar Life was even worse long after revolution Stalin made Czar look like a nice guy

From 1929, Stalin began to exterminate them as a class. Kulaks Land-owning peasants who did not want their farms to be collectivized after the revolution. From 1929, Stalin began to exterminate them as a class.

New economic plans, called the five-year plans, were introduced. 1927-1932 New economic plans, called the five-year plans, were introduced. Purpose was to improve industry

Germany and Great Britain 22 June, 1941, Germany attacked her ally Russia without warning. Alliance between Nazism and Communism fell apart Russia formed an alliance with Britain and the USA.

Cold War begins Tehran conference in 1943 presented the Soviet Union, Britain and America as allies. However, by the end of the Second World War, the Soviet Union became an enemy of its allies as the Cold War intensified.

Who is Who Mr. Jones- Czar Nicholas II Old Major- Lenin Snowball- Trotsky Napoleon- Stalin

Major’s Skull-Lenin’s Body Who is Who Dogs-KGB Windmill- 5 year plan Major’s Skull-Lenin’s Body Battle of the Cowshed- Russian Civil War

Who is Who Frederick- Hitler Animal Executions – Stalin’s Purge Battle of the Windmill – World War II Card Game- Tehran Conference Pilkington- FDR

Book to History Translation Use statements like: In “AF” ________ ___________________; (character) (action/statement/feeling) In history, this stands for ______________ ___________________; (person/country/etc) (action/statement/feeling) Example: In “AF” Old Major dreams about the animal’s freedom; in history this stands for Lenin’s dream of Marx’s Communist government coming true.