“Injustice is relatively easy to bear; what stings is justice.” - H.L. Mencken What aspects of our society, politics, and economy do you dislike or think unfair? How do you want the government to change these things? What kind of government or society would you prefer? What power do you have as an individual to create change? Warm Up

Overview of Slideshow  Background of author/book  Historical Figures  Historical setting

Background of author/book  George Orwell is the pen name of Eric Arthur Blair.  Born in India in 1903 to English missionaries  Educated at Eton College in England

Orwell’s Influence  Orwellian : Of, relating to, or evocative of the works of George Orwell, especially the satirical novel 1984, which depicts a futuristic totalitarian state.

Orwell cont.  Most famous novels are Animal Farm and 1984  Wrote extensively on Totalitarianism* *Government with total control over individuals, allowing for no dissention.

Anti-Utopian Writing  Orwell is considered Anti-Utopian (Dystopian)  A Utopia is defined as an ideally perfect place, especially in its social, political, and moral aspects.

What are some examples of attempts at creating a utopia?

What is Anti-Utopian ?  Writing which reveals the dark side of utopian thinking.  An ideal or perfect place is not only unrealistic thinking, but it is possibly destructive because of human nature.

Historical Context  The book was published in May of  What was happening in the world that year?

WW II Ends  Germany surrenders May 1945  Atomic bomb August 1945  Japan surrenders Sept. 1945

Irony of the celebration  The end of World War II unofficially began the Cold War which lasted almost 50 years

What are …  Communism  Socialism  Capitalism

Capitalism  Economic system in which most means of production and distribution are privately owned and operated.

The United States is an example of the capitalist system

Socialism  Various types of theories or systems which the ownership/ operation/distribution of goods and services is owned by the community rather than individuals.

Sweden is an example of a socialist system

Communism  Same basic system as socialism, but with the idea that only revolution will create a communist state. Expansionism/Military might is integral.

North Korea is an example of a communist state

Important figures  Karl Marx  Leon Trotsky  Vladimir Lenin  Josef Stalin

Karl Marx  Wrote The Communist Manifesto  Partnered with Frederick Engels  Said to be the father of Communism/Marxism

Marx quotes  “Religion is the opiate of the masses”  “History is economics in action”

Marxism/Communism  Theorizes that after a hostile takeover, the vacuum of power would be filled by a few leaders, then eventually their power would wither away and be given to the people.

Leon Trotsky  Russian Communist revolutionary  Birth name is Lev Bronstein  Expelled from Soviet Union because of conflict with Stalin.  Killed in Mexico in 1940

Vladimir Lenin  Russian revolutionary/leader and founder of Bolshevism (Soviet Communism)  Assumed leadership of Soviet Union until his death in 1924.

Joseph Stalin (Dzugashvili)  Took dictatorial control of Soviet Union after the death of Lenin in 1924 until his death in  Known as the most ruthless leader of the 20th Century*.

Stalin cont..  Ukrainian forced famine killed 7 million in Winter of ‘32-’33  Murdered his own advisors and generals in the “Great Purge” to instill a grip of fear.  Anyone opposed to his policies were either sent to Siberia or executed

Joseph Stalin quotes ““One death is a tragedy. One million deaths is a statistic.”

“It is enough that the people know there was an election. The people who cast the votes decide nothing. The people who count the votes decide everything.”

Poster translated: The leader and teacher of humanity in the fight for peace, democracy, and socialism.

PPower corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely! -Lord Acton

The End