Orwell’s Animal Farm VS. The Russian Revolution

Russian Society Russia was in an appalling state of poverty while the Tsar lived in luxury. There was tremendous dissatisfaction.

Czar Nicholas II A poor leader at best, compared to western leaders Cruel - sometimes brutal with opponents Sometimes kind to the people

Believed he was the unquestionable leader of Russia appointed by God. Nicholas II Believed he was the unquestionable leader of Russia appointed by God. Had unarmed protesters murdered in the streets in 1905.

THE FATHER OF COMMUNISM Karl Marx THE FATHER OF COMMUNISM Marx's criticism focused on the dominant political and economic system of his time, known as "capitalism." Germany, the United States, and England were powerful nations that lived under this system, and they were exporting it--sometimes by force--over the face of the globe. Capitalism encourages competition between its citizens, and provides rewards in an unequal way. Capitalist nations defended this distribution of goods on the grounds that the factory owners had often taken risks, or mastered skills, that the meat-packer had not. Therefore, the factory owner deserved the extra benefits The capitalist nations, he argued, allowed the wealthy few to amass huge fortunes, while the numerous poor toiled in unsafe factories for low wages, lived in wretched filth, and died before their time. Worse still, the rich denied equal opportunity to the poor, hoarding goods and reserving advantages like education and health care for themselves. Vast mansions existed alongside tenement-houses; in the one, every possible luxury could be found and every need was met, while next door whole families stuffed themselves into single rooms and ate meager rations. How could it be fair that the wealthy few had extra millions in the bank, while the masses struggled to survive, or starved to death? Marx spoke of the dawning of a new social order based on the equal distribution of wealth and possessions among a nation's citizenry. In such a society, Marx theorized, tranquil relations would prevail between all men and women, and age-old problems like poverty, ignorance, and starvation would vanish. The rich would be compelled to yield their surplus to the poor, and individuals would produce according to their abilities, and consume according to their needs. Everyone would have what they needed, and no one citizen would possess more than another. Casting his eye back across the arc of history, he asserted that in every era the same fundamental conflict emerged: The few well-placed and powerful sought to maintain their wealth by actively suppressing the natural desires of the many poor. These cruel circumstances were hard to change because the rich had no reason to share, and possessed the means by which to control the impoverished masses. The sheer numbers of the downtrodden represented a definitive advantage, however, and a declaration of war on their part would resolve the dispute. Marx took the view that it was the destiny of history itself that this battle should take place, and that the victorious poor would usher in an age of justice and equality.

Marx believed that the private ownership of land must be abolished. Karl Marx Marx believed that the private ownership of land must be abolished.

Karl Marx Believed in “Communal” way of life where everyone shares in prosperity.

Karl Marx Invented Communism “Workers of the world unite", take over gov't Dies before Russian Revolution

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

Russian Revolution Occurred in October 1917 Vladmir Lenin, a major leader in the revolution, is thought to have ordered the assassination of Czar Nicholas II and his family. Also known as the October Revolution

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

Vladmir Lenin Lenin adopted Marx’s ideas. He believed that the bourgeoisie (middle class) exploited the workers and must therefore be overthrown.

Vladmir Lenin Lenin understood the emotional impact of simple, powerful slogans like workers of the world unite

Changed Russia’s name to the USSR Vladmir Lenin Changed Russia’s name to the USSR

Death of Vladmir Lenin When Lenin died, there was a power struggle between Trotsky and Stalin. Trotsky cared about the people Stalin only cared about power

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

Leon Trotsky 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 (like being Secretary of State).

Trotsky favored world revolution. Leon Trotsky Trotsky favored world revolution.

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

One of the Russian Revolution leaderswith Lenin and Trotsky Joseph Stalin One of the Russian Revolution leaderswith Lenin and Trotsky Average speaker, not educated like Trotsky

Craved power, willing to kill for it Joseph Stalin Craved power, willing to kill for it Used KGB, allowed church, and propagandized

Benefited from the fact that education was controlled Joseph Stalin Benefited from the fact that education was controlled

Joseph Stalin In his evil 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.

Propaganda Department of Stalin’s government Worked for Stalin to support his image Lied to convince the people to follow Stalin Basically, Stalin’s PR group so people would accept Stalin

Cheka/OGPU/NKVD/KGB : These were the various names/ initials given to the secret police during Stalin’s dictatorship.

Not really police, but forced all to support Stalin KGB - Secret Police Not really police, but forced all to support Stalin Used force, often killed entire families for disobedience Totally loyal, part of Stalin’s power, even over army

Politburo This was the policy-making body of the Communist party’s Central Committee. In reality it was merely a force to carry out Stalin’s orders and secure his position as dictator. Basically, Stalin’s “yes men” so it didn’t look like Stalin was running everything himself.

Use of Religion to Control Masses Marx said religion was the "Opiate of the people" and a lie. (Opiate is a drug) Used to make people not complain and do their work

Use of Religion to Control Masses Religion was tolerated because people would work and not complain Stalin knew religion would stop violent revolutions

Communist 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

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

Kulaks : These were the 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.

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

Germany and Great Britain : Stalin negotiated with both Germany and Great Britain. The Russo-German pact of August 1939 allowed Russia to occupy eastern Poland while Germany occupied the rest.

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

Cold War begins The 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.

Essential Questions

Who had the ideas in the beginning that inspired the rebellions? #1 Who had the ideas in the beginning that inspired the rebellions?

#2 What are the real enemies of Communism according to Marx, Lenin, Stalin and Trotsky?

#3 and #4 Who does Stalin blame anytime a problem arises? Why do you think Stalin blames this person?

#5 and #6 Who would you associate with this quote? Marx, Lenin Stalin or Trotsky? Why did you choose that person? “All men are equal but some are more equal than others”

#7 Compare the lives of Russians when they live under Czar Nicholas and when they live under Stalin.

Tells of a dream that leads to Rebellion and inspires others. #8 Who is this? Tells of a dream that leads to Rebellion and inspires others.

Leader of the rebellion that drives out Czar Nicholas II. #9 Who is this? Leader of the rebellion that drives out Czar Nicholas II.

#10 Who is this? Leader of Rebellion that is driven out of Russia and later killed in Mexico.

#11 Who is this? Leader of the Rebellion that drives out his competition and starts to purge those that disagree or may disagree with him.

Branch of Government that enforces Stalin’s rules. #12 Who is this? Branch of Government that enforces Stalin’s rules.

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

Major’s Skull-Lenin’s Body Battle of the Cowshed- Russian Civil War 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

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